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FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ RESERVATIONS ~ 25 September 2011
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 09/24/2011 5:02:57 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
|
RESERVATIONS
Recently, someone stopped by my office, handed me two sheets of paper, and said something to the effect of, "You're always sharing something with people; here's something for you." Then he was gone. Like so many encounters we have along life's way, this one was brief. But it left a lasting impression, and brightened my whole day. The article is definitely a "keeper." Originally written by Jonathan Lee for the Washington Post, it is entitled "Reservations of an Airline Agent." I've abbreviated it due to limited space, but the point is unchanged. Enjoy!
"I work in the central reservation office of an airline company. After more than 130,000 conversations -- all ending with "Have a nice day and thanks for calling" -- I think it's fair to say I'm a survivor.
"I've made it through all the calls from adults who don't know the difference between a.m. and p.m., from mothers of military recruits who didn't trust their little soldiers to get it right, from the woman who wanted advice on how to handle her teenage daughter, from the man who wanted to ride inside the kennel with his dog so he wouldn't have to pay for a seat, from the woman who wanted to know why she had to change clothes on our flight between Chicago and Washington (she was told she'd have to make a change between the two cities) and from the man who asked if I'd like to discuss the existential humanism that emanates from the soul of Habeeb.
"My battles have included everything from a man not knowing how to spell the name of the town he was from, to another not recognizing "Iowa" as being a state, to another who thought he had to apply for a foreign passport to fly to West Virginia....
"I talked to a woman in Denver who had never heard of Cincinnati, a man in Minneapolis who didn't know there was more than one city in the South ("wherever the South is"), and a man in Dallas who tried to pay for his ticket by sticking quarters in the pay phone he was calling from.
"Then a man tried to catch our flight to Maconga. I told him I'd never heard of Maconga and we certainly didn't fly to it. But he insisted we did and to prove it he showed me his ticket: Macon, GA....
"Half (of the people) will not have thought about when they're returning. A third won't know where they are going; 10 percent won't care where they're going. A few won't care if they get back.
"You just have to shake your head in amazement! But it reminds me of a time when Jesus talked with his apostles about a trip he was taking. As I recall, there was a lot of confusion about that trip as well.
"'I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going, and how can we know the way?' (John 14:2b-5)
"With all the patience of an airline ticket agent, Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
"What a glorious trip lies ahead. I hope you've made your reservations!"
Amen. And blessings on your journey.
CAPT J. David Atwater, CHC, USN
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; chaplain; military; troopsupport
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To: oldteen
The Superglue thing was done as day-surgery. She was brought back to the nursing home for recovery, and of course rehab, which will take a few weeks. The Nursing Home already has her walking. (I’m sure it’s with a walker, but one has to start SOMEWHERE!)
She has a long way to go. I will call her in a while. I know about nursing homes from having been a Recreation Therapist for many years. It will be hard to catch her, because they will want her to eat in the Dining Room, Do PT and OT, attend activities, and keep moving.
I tried calling her this morning, but there was no answer, as early as 8:30AM. Knowing my mom, she was probably attending Sunday Mass, either live with a local priest, or on TV in the Rec. Room. That’s what I used to do as part of “Recreation”. People’s Religion is very important to them, and I made sure there was a full schedule to accommodate everybody’s religious needs. I even would do an entire Passover Seder, with Musical accompaniment, two nights in a row for my Jewish Patients.
I never had a Muslim patient. I really DON’T know WHAT I would do to accommodate THEM. };-)
To: Kathy in Alaska
102
posted on
09/25/2011 11:40:11 AM PDT
by
blackie
(Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
I have prayed for your friend, Teresa, every day since I first heard of her illness last week. As I was praying last night, I could almost hear the words to this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf_glkmbNbQ
“Come Home, Come Home.....Ye who are weary, Come Home...”
I pray for healing, if it is His will. If not, I pray for Teresa to gently arrive “Home”.
103
posted on
09/25/2011 11:42:12 AM PDT
by
yorkie
(Looks like it's CAIN vs. UNable!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
To: left that other site
All sounds like she will be getting the proper care. Her recovery might be quicker than thought! That is good news. Prayers will continue for her!
I never had a Muslim patient. I really DONT know WHAT I would do to accommodate THEM.
I have a suggestion but I'll keep it to myself! (No, it isn't what some would think! lol)
105
posted on
09/25/2011 11:47:40 AM PDT
by
oldteen
To: oldteen
Well, you've spent most of your life on one side of the country, and I all my life on the other side......
It is nice to have FR to bring us and others together or we would have never met eachother! :-) *hugs*
To: oldteen
To: Kathy in Alaska; GodBlessUSA; Mrs.Nooseman; AZamericonnie; HiJinx; Colonel_Flagg; BIGLOOK; ...
108
posted on
09/25/2011 12:38:08 PM PDT
by
luvie
(The current candidates?...none of them are pushing MY buttons! RUN SARAH....R U N!!!!)
To: LUV W
Sunday Music Bump.
((HUGS))Good Sunday Afternoon, LUV W. How's it going?
109
posted on
09/25/2011 12:44:12 PM PDT
by
E.G.C.
(Edward's Soft Rock Playlist: On Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=A7A56731DE671E6A)
To: E.G.C.
Howdy, EGC! It’s going well here. It’s just about naptime! LOL!
Hope you and Bo are having a GREAT day today!
110
posted on
09/25/2011 12:50:04 PM PDT
by
luvie
(The current candidates?...none of them are pushing MY buttons! RUN SARAH....R U N!!!!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Prayers for Teresa and for those that love her.
Hug, Kathy, I know you are hurting.
111
posted on
09/25/2011 12:50:16 PM PDT
by
TASMANIANRED
(We kneel to no prince but the Prince of Peace)
To: Arrowhead1952
That is an awesome stream from the satellite....but there sure wasn’t much moisture around Texas! Hope there is some later in the week.
112
posted on
09/25/2011 12:56:24 PM PDT
by
luvie
(The current candidates?...none of them are pushing MY buttons! RUN SARAH....R U N!!!!)
To: Arrowhead1952
Good afternoon, Arrowhead, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.
Thanks for brunch.
113
posted on
09/25/2011 3:31:02 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: ConorMacNessa
Good afternoon/evening, Mac...*HUGS*
Hope you are feeling better today.
114
posted on
09/25/2011 4:10:57 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: left that other site
115
posted on
09/25/2011 4:20:56 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: tiapam
Thank you so much, tiapam.
116
posted on
09/25/2011 4:26:19 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: oldteen
Thanks, teen...much appreciated.
117
posted on
09/25/2011 4:27:31 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: mylife; oldteen

my.....#50!!
teen.....#100!!
118
posted on
09/25/2011 4:29:37 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
You are most welcome Dear FRiend.
I tried to reach Mom all day at the nursing home to no avail. Now I found out that she spent the day in the ER.
Because it took so long to get the blood thinner out of her system before the procedure, that she was on MORPHINE for 5 days! So she went into a PSYCHOSIS.
A male Nurse’s Aide, who knew my Mom from when she was visiting Dad, KNEW that her confusion and disorientation was NOT my MOM! So he reported it, and they rushed her to the ER.
So now, my dear Mom is in the Hospital going through withdrawal. (sigh)
Please keep the prayers going.
To: blackie
A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and Barb...((HUGS))
120
posted on
09/25/2011 4:40:24 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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