FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ RESERVATIONS ~ 25 September 2011

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[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

 

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

When did you got to Florida? Also, were you raised in CA or did you move there later in life?

[Kathy in Alaska]

And a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours as well.

Hope you get some resting time this weekend. *HUGS*

[AZamericonnie]

I actually took a 30 minute nap today & I’m not a napper! LOL

I think I was in a food coma.:)

I hope for some resting time for you tomorrow, try if you can please!

[oldteen]

Native Californian...things sure have changed since I was young! *sigh*

Only other state I have ever lived was Texas.

Was in Florida for a very short time as we took a cruise to the Bahamas and that's where we flew into and out of.

[Kathy in Alaska]

I visited with Teresa tonight. She is "there", but 100% dependent on the ventilator. She is getting 100% oxygen, but her lungs are doing nothing, and the MRSA bacteria is back in her lungs. This is the message her son posted on Facebook this morning. I don't do Facebook, but a FRiend sends me requests.

To all mom's friends and family, the doctors called me and Heather in this morning to let us know that mom denied the tracheostomy and they think it will only be a few days before she passes away. Her lungs have developed pneumonia and her kidneys are failing as well. They think that her life would be greatly depleted by having a trach and they know she was very sad in the last couple years with all her medical problems so they feel letting her pass away would be alot better in the long run. If you want to see her she is in room 228 at providence in anchorage but they strongly warn no kids unless there directly related to her and only a few people at a time. she would love to see as many people as possible as you are the reason she has been able to stay alive in the past. sorry for the news on FB But this is the easiest way for me to reach most of the people that she knows...

A friend and I were there at the same time, each holding a hand. She was very animated at times, and was able, via multiple questions, to let us know that her hair was bothering her, and that she had a headache. We found a cloth, wet it with cool water, and put it on her forehead. She nodded that it helped. As we left she held up both hands, fingers spread. We intertwined fingers, let her know she was loved, and said we'd be back on Sunday.

Her daughter will be here Sunday from her home in Las Vegas.

For you that pray, please pray for Teresa's peace of mind and body. This is what I have suspected since she went back into the hospital...the very first thing she expressed to the first visitor was, "I hate it here". I am not surprised, as we have talked about "living" with tubes.

[eyedigress]

She prays for her children, especially those most vulnerable to the world. She prays for those around her to take care of them. She prays.......

[Cindy]

How very sad.

Thanks for the update Kathy.

[eyedigress]

It will be OK. GOD is a part of this and will take care of her.

[mylife]

I have her hand. I pray that she regains health.

[mylife]

You are are a good person Kathy.
You have put your self in a position of long suffering for so many people.

Blessings to Teresa and all who need blessings

[eyedigress]

I haven’t received a reply, that’s a good thing

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, eye....she has suffered so long. Breathing has been so difficult.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, teen...*HUGS*

Thank you for the Blessings.

And a Blessed Lord’s day to you and yours.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sending prayers for both you and your Mom. ((HUGS))

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, my, for helping hold her hand. She feels them all.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Beautiful, Sand...a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[MEG33]

Wishing The Canteen A Blessed Sunday
May God Keep Safe Those Who Keep Us Safe

[Kathy in Alaska]

Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw

Amazing Grace ~ Cherokee

Elvis ~ In The Garden

Jim Ed Brown ~ Chapel Bells Are Ringing

John Berry ~ Old Rugged Cross

Kitty Wells ~ Dust On the Bible

Red Sovine ~ Deck of Cards

The Statler Brothers ~ Church in the Wildwood

Tennessee Ernie Ford ~ Faith of Our Fathers

The Gaithers ~ What A Friend We Have in Jesus

Elvis ~ Precious Lord

Ray Cornelius ~ One Set of Footprints

How Great Thou Art ~ Choctaw

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our forever thanks to our Heroes.

A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

[BIGLOOK]

Teresa is in God's Hands now and God sees those that held her hands during her suffering and bless them.

Tonight I pray for Teresa and I pray for her family and friends. Lord hear my prayers.