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October 3, 2004

I woke up in the morning, excited to be going home. My 4 days stay in Texas had turned into 2 1/2 weeks. I wasn't looking forward to the work piling up, yet anxious to return home. I quickly learned that having a one-way ticket home was an instant invitation to search upon search by airport security. I didn't mind - I had nothing to hide - and the security folks were pleasant. It took a while to get through security as a result - and left little time to simply relax before boarding the plane.

The flight to Ohio wasn't very full. I was lucky to be sitting alone - nobody next to me to chit chat during my last 2 1/2 hours of "me" time. I noticed that the gentleman across the aisle also had the row to himself. He quickly struck up a conversation with the woman behind him as I opened my book and began to read. I could immediately tell that there was something not quite right with the fellow. He was sweet and nice, but appeared mentally challenged to a degree. The woman behind him was very politely talking to him as we taxied down the runway.

Throughout the flight I heard the gentleman ask the woman questions. She explained that he couldn't leave his seat until the "Fasten Seat Belt" sign turned off. She notified him when it had so that he may use the restrooms - pointing his way toward the back of the plane. He seemed distressed as we began our descent into Columbus. She once again calmly explained that he couldn't see the ground because of the clouds we were flying through. She handed him gum when his ears wouldn't "pop". She answered his numerous questions politely. Where did she live ("Marietta"). Was it close to the airport? ("No, it's about 2 hours away.") Where had she been ("San Antonio"). Did she fly there a lot ("No, it was a very special trip.") His questions continued until after we landed. All the while she never once sounded aggravated or annoyed. Like I may have been had he been sitting next to me, I'm sorry to say.

Throughout the flight I was amazed by her kindness. I decided that after we landed I would tell her my thoughts. The kindness of strangers is so rare nowadays. Anyone that travels frequently would probably agree that airports and airplanes don't normally foster random acts of kindness and goodwill towards man. I thought she should know that her actions - while appreciated by the beneficiary - had also been noticed by a fellow passenger.

I didn't get the chance.

It was as our plane was heading toward the gate and we were gathering our belongings that the woman behind me noticed the woman had a Teddy Bear dressed as a soldier. I couldn't help but overhear their exchange. She was asked if she knew someone in the military, and she said her husband was. Had he been in Iraq.? She said yes. Would he have to go back? She replied simply, "No, unfortunately he passed away."

I listened to her explain that he was driving in a convoy that had been ambushed. It happened just days before he was due to return home. My eyes filled with tears as I heard her say how thankful she was to have been able to see him one last time at the hospital in San Antonio before he died. She was now returning home to their five children, ages 3 - 12.

As we walked off the plane toward the gate, I completely forgot why I had wanted to talk to her in the first place. All I could do was say how sorry I was for her loss. We were both crying as we approached the airport, and the military personnel that was awaiting her arrival. As I made my way to the nearest restroom to compose myself, they drove by on the cart and she waved to me sadly. I wept in the bathroom stall. For her. For her family. For the soldiers. For everyone that has lost someone.

I saw her one last time in the baggage claim area. She told me thank-you, and said she just couldn't believe he wasn't coming home. This was a Saturday. He had died on Thursday. He was 38.

I wondered about how absolutely kind this woman had been during the flight. Through her grief, or maybe as a diversion from it, she found it in her heart to help a complete stranger.

I grabbed my bags and walked outside to meet my ride with a new perspective on life. If a woman who had just lost her husband, the father of her children, could show kindness to strangers, why couldn't we all? I learned that you can have a bad day, or a bad week - but unfortunately, someone is having a worse day. But even on those worst days you are not an island. You are part of something so much bigger: The human race. And even in grief you can give so much to complete strangers.

I never told her how impressed I was by her interaction with the young gentleman on the plane. I never got to thank her for the lesson she taught me. Each day I will thank her and her husband for what they sacrificed for all of us.

I didn't know Gail Nolan before we shared a flight, but I will never forget her or Allen Nolan, the fallen soldier I never met.

How to help:

Donations for the Allen Nolan family may be sent in care of:
Faith Bible Church
118 West Ninth St.
Williamstown, WV 26187

Monetary donations in the form of checks or money orders should be made out to Gail Nolan. (Checks made out to the church can not be given to the family.)

For more information, please e-mail Faith Bible Church at FBC5@juno.com

~Trixie

Updates!

October 10, 2004
This family really needs some help. They have 5 kids, ages 3-12. They are in the process of adopting 3 of them. Spc. Allen Nolan died fighting for this country. Doing his duty to protect all of us. Complete strangers.

I've spoken with their minister and people at their church to find out what they need, and they need a lot. I learned in the process that this family has always been helpful to others in their community and have always been kind to everyone they meet. They weren't surprised at all when I told them the story of Gail on our flight. I was told she is always like that. Always helping others.

I wanted to help them.

Now you can help, too!! We know that everyone has a big heart - if not always a big wallet. So we thought if we pooled together everyone we knew - we could easily raise the $$. You can donate as little as $1.00!!! Skip your morning coffee and you can donate $3! Get someone else to buy your drink at the bar and you can donate $5.

See - it really is easy to help someone.

My goal is to raise $2000 to help the Nolan family. If we exceed that - even better. We want to help with initial expenses now, and also raise money for Christmas and birthdays throughout the year. If you want to send money to the family directly - please do so! The details are provided in our story above. We have also created an Amazon.com Honors page to accept donations. While this page is up, all of the money raised will go for helping the Nolan family. They have been adopted by us. :)

Amazon Honor Page:

It only takes a minute. You can choose how much you would like to donate. If you have questions, e-mail me. If you have any additional ideas, e-mail me. If you know someone else that can spare a dollar or two to help a fallen hero's family, please pass this along!

November 9, 2004
An organizational meeting was held on Monday, November 8, 2004 for anyone interested in helping with a construction project for the family of Allen Nolan. Spc. Nolan died on September 30th from injuries sustained in the War in Iraq. He is survived by his wife and five children ranging in ages from 3 to 12 years. The youngest three children were officially adopted into the family at a hearing held on October 28th. The family's home currently has 2 bedrooms and one bath. The goal is to build 2 additional bedrooms, a bath, and a fenced in backyard with some playground equipment. If you are interested in helping with this project with either a donation of time, expertise, funds or materials please e-mail Faith Bible Church at FBC5@juno.com

November 20, 2004
A benefit is being held on December 4, 2004 for the Nolan family. For full information, please view the printable flyer for the event. We want to thank everyone that has given us items to donate for the raffle being held. I also want to take a moment to thank everyone that has done so much to help spread the word. Your thoughts, prayers and support have meant so much, to so many!! Please keep this family in mind during the holiday season. If you have a dollar (or a few) to help the Nolan family, please contact Faith Bible Church at FBC5@juno.com or use our handy Amazon Honor Page.

Also, a second meeting regarding the building project will be Monday, November 29th at 7:00p.m. at Faith Bible Church.

We will continue to provide updates as the happen!

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