OMG. Eileen, this is so beautiful. It's so sad that we live in a world where men call themselves "pussies" if they show their hearts, their softness, and think it's a negative thing, a thing to feel shame over.
Thank you for YOUR service, my sweet friend. You changed Tony in this interaction. He may have changed you, or at least reminded you of everyone's need to be heard and tell their stories. You mirrored back to him his value. You instilled hope and love. The result I'm sure.
You're not good at meaningless chit-chat, that's true, thank goodness. Your life is a blessing, my dear. Love you very much. xo
I love this story. I would have adopted him, the bruised ones have always been my weakness. I'm not surprised he kissed you, there was some serious intimacy going on there...helped you both is seems.
So beautiful! Thank you for being there in honesty and compassion for him when he truly needed to be reminded of the goodness of people. I wonder if the lifting you up with kiss wasn't a moment of recreating the famous WWII photograph of the sailor returning home from the war doing the same thing. That image instanty arrived in your description. A beautiful moment. Thank you for sharing. I wonder, have you ever heard back from him?
Eileen this is so beautiful, I have tears in my eyes. Thank you for being the kind person you are, and really listening to Tony, who wanted and needed so badly to be heard. I know you gave him hope, and validation that there was nothing wrong about what he was feeling and about how he had reacted to being surrounded by so many horrors. Thank you.
In flight "therapy." You showed non-judgmental empathy to that young, hurting service man. Brava.
I think he's an 'old soul' wounded by life's ugliness - war being but one BIG UGLY. You lifted his spirit by your presence, attitude and promise to send him wings. Why the focus on the wings? Maybe you have an idea. I do as well- as a symbol for freedom and sometimes death. (Hope I'm wrong about the death symbolism and he finds family, friends and a therapist to help him through this rough patch of adjustment).
At the end of the flight, he reciprocated and lifted you up, literally!
Thank you for this snapshot of humanity. I need more of this in my day. Last evening I was walking over to a friend's house to collect her mail as she is out of town. Along the way I stopped to admire and take a photo of some gorgeous roses. A woman that I didn't know stopped alongside me to admire the roses and we ended up in a brief and lively conversation . That conversation was open and loving and punctuated with laughter. It lasted maybe eight minutes and ended with a hug. Who knew there was such delight in store for me?
An important story, perfectly told. As the mom of a former Marine, I wish there were more narratives like this in the world. It's so easy to say "thank you for your service," without understanding what the service costs. Without seeing the complexity of the experience, which you captured so deftly.
Yeah I’m a bit worried about him too, and all the other damaged humans who’ve been to war. Imagine how bad their lives must be if joining the army is a preferred option.
I love your tales from the sky — the humanity. I know it oozes from you! And you win, your challenge coin is way better than the one I received with a golden retriever on it.
OMG. Eileen, this is so beautiful. It's so sad that we live in a world where men call themselves "pussies" if they show their hearts, their softness, and think it's a negative thing, a thing to feel shame over.
Thank you for YOUR service, my sweet friend. You changed Tony in this interaction. He may have changed you, or at least reminded you of everyone's need to be heard and tell their stories. You mirrored back to him his value. You instilled hope and love. The result I'm sure.
You're not good at meaningless chit-chat, that's true, thank goodness. Your life is a blessing, my dear. Love you very much. xo
so well said Nan, I am still crying after reading this article.
Thanks, Sarah. That Eileen, she's something else. Best of the bunch. xo
I love this story. I would have adopted him, the bruised ones have always been my weakness. I'm not surprised he kissed you, there was some serious intimacy going on there...helped you both is seems.
I’m definitely in broken boy rehab…
So beautiful! Thank you for being there in honesty and compassion for him when he truly needed to be reminded of the goodness of people. I wonder if the lifting you up with kiss wasn't a moment of recreating the famous WWII photograph of the sailor returning home from the war doing the same thing. That image instanty arrived in your description. A beautiful moment. Thank you for sharing. I wonder, have you ever heard back from him?
This happened in 2012 or so. I didn’t hear from him (I didn’t expect to, I figured it was best left as is)
I’m sure we weren’t as glorious as that photo but I love the idea 😀
Eileen this is so beautiful, I have tears in my eyes. Thank you for being the kind person you are, and really listening to Tony, who wanted and needed so badly to be heard. I know you gave him hope, and validation that there was nothing wrong about what he was feeling and about how he had reacted to being surrounded by so many horrors. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to read it. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Sarah.
In flight "therapy." You showed non-judgmental empathy to that young, hurting service man. Brava.
I think he's an 'old soul' wounded by life's ugliness - war being but one BIG UGLY. You lifted his spirit by your presence, attitude and promise to send him wings. Why the focus on the wings? Maybe you have an idea. I do as well- as a symbol for freedom and sometimes death. (Hope I'm wrong about the death symbolism and he finds family, friends and a therapist to help him through this rough patch of adjustment).
At the end of the flight, he reciprocated and lifted you up, literally!
Thank you for your comment on the symbolism. It’s interesting to ponder.
Thank you for this snapshot of humanity. I need more of this in my day. Last evening I was walking over to a friend's house to collect her mail as she is out of town. Along the way I stopped to admire and take a photo of some gorgeous roses. A woman that I didn't know stopped alongside me to admire the roses and we ended up in a brief and lively conversation . That conversation was open and loving and punctuated with laughter. It lasted maybe eight minutes and ended with a hug. Who knew there was such delight in store for me?
What a lovely encounter. We need more of those. ❤️
An important story, perfectly told. As the mom of a former Marine, I wish there were more narratives like this in the world. It's so easy to say "thank you for your service," without understanding what the service costs. Without seeing the complexity of the experience, which you captured so deftly.
So true, Rita. 🥰 thanks for your mom service 💗
Heart breaking. I'm hoping things worked out for Tony and he's made a life for himself. Found his way past the nightmares. Loved reading this ...
Yeah I’m a bit worried about him too, and all the other damaged humans who’ve been to war. Imagine how bad their lives must be if joining the army is a preferred option.
Thanks Heidi. Love you 😘
I love this story so much. You never know what another person's struggle may be. It is a gift to ourselves when we can be the balm to another's soul.
Thanks P. Chat soon ❤️
i love you, Eileen (as always, in a non-creepy way).
I love your non-creepy love!
Hahaha same
❤️
This made me cry. Beautifully told, in every way.
PS - you may have given him a reason to keep going. And that is a huge huge thing.
I guess all angels do have wings, Eileen. xo
Such a brief but special connection. I sure hope Tony found his place in the world.
I love your tales from the sky — the humanity. I know it oozes from you! And you win, your challenge coin is way better than the one I received with a golden retriever on it.
A stab to the heart, of the best kind. I love this tribute to the power of listening. Tony will stay with me for a while.
Per the usual, beautiful. Thank you for sharing your world with the world.