What in the world are you talking about?
That’s the look a couple of my classes gave me when I showed them this title, and with good reason. They can’t drive! 🙂
#thatisnotfunnyMrJohnston
Anyway, I had a good topic in mind that I will save for another date. This came to me today via “The Monday Club” and Hannah Brencher. She’s the founder of the site, The World Need More Love Letters, a site dedicated to letter writing for people who have fallen on hard times. It’s a really cool idea and seems to be growing. Imagine getting 200+ letters telling you that yes, you are worth it, you are awesome, and you need to keep going! The Monday Club basic is a weekly email tell us that Monday’s are to be celebrated, not avoided! You can sign up for it here.
This week’s email was titled like my blog, “Who Picks You Up At The Airport?” In this email, Hannah talks about an encounter with a coffee shop owner, who, after watch Hannah avoid numerous social situations, asks her, “I wonder who picks you up at the airport. That’s all.”
#ouch
Hannah then goes on to talk about the need to step outside of our box, and get into our “community”.
Be willing to ask for the favor. Be willing to accept help. Be willing to text the flight itinerary and hurl your bag into the back seat of someone’s car.
As I thought about this, I came up with three people off the top of my head who would pick me up:
Patrick: My brother (happy birthday tomorrow, little brother), is the first who came to mind. We’ve never had the best of relationships, but if I asked, I know he’d be there.
Kevin: He’s my brother from another mother. Kev and I roomed together for four years in college and have kept in touch since. While he lives in the Twin Cities, he be there.
Julie: Julie has been a friend for as long as Kev. For a long time, we’d see her family and Kevin’s over Labor Day. We’d grill and have a few beers and just enjoy each other’s company. Julie’s family is high school aged now, so she’s “busy” (like the rest of us weren’t), but she still ranks high.
Now, this isn’t to say that others in my life wouldn’t pick me up, but I’d have to put myself out there and ask. Not an easy thing for an introvert who’d rather curl with with a book than talk with those around him! Because of this, I leave you with the last sentence in Hannah’s email:
There are people who are willing and ready to pick you up from the airport but you’ll never know who if you don’t humbly ask.
#breakoutofthebox
March 4, 2019 at 10:52 pm
I try to read the ‘late slicers’ as I am usually slicing right at the last minute. I’m glad I read your slice as I will think about my airport people! Looking forward to learning more about the Monday Club!
March 5, 2019 at 1:12 am
Airport runs are such a part of our way of life. It is always the ponderous moment – to ask or use a Lyft/Careem? Now I will think of Hannah’s final thought as well.
March 5, 2019 at 8:36 am
What a great topic to write about. I may have to assign this topic to my students for their blog next month. Thanks for sharing.
March 5, 2019 at 1:54 pm
I really enjoyed the email that I got, so I was happy to be able to share it a little of my learning!
March 5, 2019 at 6:02 pm
After moving away some years ago from close friends and family, have struggled for anyone I feel co for table asking to give me a ride, pick up the paper or the mail, or anything else. It’s probably more about me than them.
April 1, 2019 at 6:03 am
Great post. I’m going to share this with friends. Like the comment.
Hannah then goes on to talk about the need to step outside of our box, and get into our “community