I met many people with interesting life stories when in Flight Attendant School, but I remember in particular one woman who had just lost her husband.  Her mother was helping to raise her three children and I remember being in awe of her courage and positive attitude.

Then, after 16 years with the same airline, she was diagnosed with cancer.  She took a year off and could have made a different career choice that wasn’t as physically taxing, but she went back to her airline and picked up where she left off as though nothing had happened.

I was lucky enough to cross paths with her a few years ago when we were on the same flight.  I asked why she would want to return to a job that sometimes required lifting and hours of standing and she said there was really only one reason:  the people.  She loved meeting new people every day and getting to know crew members.  She loved seeing the same people taking daily business shuttles between Washington and New York and felt as though they were part of her family.  She also told me how during her illness, many of them called her and sent gifts.

I know she’ll retire one day, but until then, choosing a Flight Attendant Career was the only choice she ever wanted to make.

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