To the lady who reminded me this: thank you, you’ve inspired me and encouraged me. Reminded me that life is now and it’s worth living, on your terms.
I’ve got 7 minutes till my next flight departs, everyone stands and hustles for their bags. I hold onto faith that my trusty converses will get me through the airport halls and seated onto my next flight. While patiently waiting for those in front to gather their belongings and depart the packed plane I meet an older lady, she’s also in a hurry to catch the same flight as me. In our brief conversation I learn she’s flying to Broome to go on a cruise through the Kimberly’s, finishing in Darwin. She’s a stylish kinda grandma figure, wearing a pink fleece, wheeling a Gucci carry on suitcase, maybe she’s 70.
I let her know my phone says that we need to get to gate 3, I wait for her to exit the plane, just a few people behind me, we start briskly walking to the gate. She tells me “I’m meant to have a wheelchair… but they won’t have it ready in time” in a relaxed yet puffed voice. I offer assistance but no, she’s a determined women, travelling solo. She’s mirroring me & maybe the only difference is the fact I’m more than 40 years younger.
Final boarding announcements are on repeat, we’re only at gate 13 and at this pace we won’t make it to gate 3 in time. I ask for her name, informing her that I will make sure the cabin crew know she’s coming. In a puff she says thank you and I run off through the crowds. At gate 3 I check in & board the plane, a little sweaty, very grateful for my converses & hopeful that my new elderly friend makes it onboard too.
Its peak tourist season in Broome, my age group was definitely in the minority on that flight. I’m 25, clearly I’ve never understood society’s norms, settled for them or ticked off life events in the order ‘they’ tell us is best.
That lady made the flight and I bet she had a fabulous time onboard her cruise. Don’t ever underestimate a women travelling solo, old or young. To the lady who reminded me this: it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll ever read this but thank you, you’ve inspired me and encouraged me. Reminded me that life is now and it’s worth living, on your terms.
To whoever is reading this, young or old, tear up the list society wrote for you. Write your own, change up the order and feel into what you want. You’re the only one who knows.
But what I know is that your body ages and apparently it’s a more challenging to run through airports, climb mountains, swim in the sea and just be free.