I had every intention of sleeping through the flights to the left cost. These are early morning flights and I've had about 1.5 hours of sleep the night before. First leg to Detroit: mission accomplished. Second leg from Detroit to LA not so much thanks to Lisa.
Sat down, got comfy, blanket covering upper body to fight the chill of the A/C that's blasting. Close eyes and resting. Short while later i hear flight attendant come by with cart. My tray table is in the up and locked position; the universal signal of seasoned travelers to flight attendant that I don't want anything. The flight attendant knows the sign and leave me alone. Lisa on the other had is flying for the first time. She sitting in the window seat and is asking what kind of alcohol they have....at 830 in the morning. She settles on vodka cranberry and orders THREE...at 830 in the morning. The flight attendant tells her that she can only two at a time to which Lisa replies "They're not all for me, I'm buying them for me and these two fine men sitting next to me. It's my 50th birthday and we are going to get this party started"...at 830 in the morning. That was my sleepy introduction to Lisa the latest initiate into the 50 year old club. Suffice it to say the next four hours were part amazing, insightful and equally horrifying and beautiful.
To be honest I was annoyed. All Jon and I wanted to do was sleep after getting minimal sleep the night before at his and Jill's place. Jon, an ex-worker and a friend for many years, was travelling with me to Burning Man (BM) for the first time. We just wanted to sleep so that we'd be refreshed for the next couple of days in LA with Madi and Paul. I told myself one drink then off to sleep. I would NOT engage.
Drinks came. We toasted Lisa and wished her a happy birthday. I drained my drink closed my eyes and settled in to go back to sleep. Lisa started talking to Jon because he was sitting next to her. Jon's a really good guy. I knew he just wanted to sleep as well but could tell he wished he was sitting in the aisle seat. I have him a look that said "that sucks for you" and closed my eyes but sleep wouldn't come because Lisa wanted to get the party started. LOL...at 830 in the morning.
I started listening to her story as she was talking to Jon. Her life hasn't been the easiest. She had some of her grown children living with her some of which were going to hard times with drugs. Grand children figured into her life as well with her being the one to watch them while parents were at work. She herself had suffered from a 30 year crack addiction but somehow quit it.
This was her first flight. She was headed to San Diego to spend a month with her son who had been living in Cali for a while. She said that her son wanted to show her another life. One without the stress and struggle that she'd been experiencing for a long time.
My heart went out to her. At one point I engaged with her and told her she's been given a great gift for the next month by being in Cali with her son. That this visit could very well set the course for the second half of her life. She agreed and recognized this trip for what it could represent: a greater turning point in her life.
For the next couple of hours Jon and I listened to Lisa heard her hopes and dreams and fears. We laughed, joked and drank with her and genuinely had a really good time with her. At one point she became self conscious of the fact that she didn't have her teeth in and went to the bathroom to put them in so that she could look her best for these "fine young men". She was shocked when I told her I was older than she was. LOL. During some slight turbulence she asked if that was normal. With a shocked look on my face I said "No, that's not normal something's wrong." LOL. Jon quickly told her not to listen to me and yes that was normal.
The flight ended. Jon and I left Lisa on the plane because she was continuing on to the next stop. The flight didn't go as I expected but something tells me it went exactly as it should have. Lisa thanked us for listening to her and being a comfort to her on the flight. She thanked the Lord for us and I thank him for putting us there in those seats on that flight.
"Let's get this party started" was mine and Jon's saying for the entire BM experience in the coming week. Lisa was always there in the back of our minds. I trust she's doing well and enjoying her time in California with her son and his Italian wife.
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