Thursday, May 15, 2008
Airport Journey
"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help."
-Epicurus
Our friends in Ireland set off on a trip to Portugal this week. Mater offered to drive them to the airport. Minutes after she collected the pair from their home and they rolled through their little town- which is next to Mater's- they all three waved at the shops and houses and said, "goodbye, town."
Of course Mater was coming straight back again through that street but it gave her a pleasant feeling to be saying farewell even for an hour or two.
Then, from the back seat, the husband said very gently, "I've left my bag at the house. It has the tickets in it."
He was so calm about it that Mater assumed the comment to be a practical joke.
"I don't care," said she, chuckling. "You're going to the airport with or without your ticket."
A few moments later when reality set in she abashedly turned the car around and guided it back to the house.
The couple dashed inside, much to the surprise of their daughter who had not expected them home quite so soon.
On their way again, they said another, yet slightly muted 'goodbye' to the town, tickets properly in hand this time.
At the doors of the airport Mater bid them well, wished them sunshine and plenty of rest.
"I've left a little something for you in the car," said her friend. Mater and she had firmly agreed beforehand that the drive to the airport was to be gratuitous. Mater admonished them both and walked back to her car as the couple stepped inside the airport terminal and were swallowed up in the herd of tourists.
Mater got into her car and looked for whatever sum of money her friend had left behind.
Instead she found a handbag, precious and much-needed.
Mater dialed the couple's cell phone number hastily- thank goodness their phone was not also inside the bag- and brought the already weary two back to the doors where she reunited them with the priceless item.
Off they went again- and thankfully Mater has not seen them since. I wish them a safe and soothing and very much needed excursion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
Reminds me of a Peter Seller's movie. Could be a pilot for a BBC Sitcom about a small Irish town. Mater must be a patient woman.
This story has a sense of calmness about it..yet if that were me without my tickets, I don't think I would be so calm!
I'm glad they caught their flight.
Texican, You're right! It could be a potential idea for a show... I could add a traffic jam of cows on the way to the airport...hmmm.
Mater is quite patient, now I come to think of it...
Jaime, I'd like to think I'd be calm- but who knows what we'd be like until we're in the situation!
Oi, it reminds me of my parents. My dad once flew London for two months, with the car keys in his pocket, leaving my mother and her four toddlers stranded at the airport 200km away from the small town we lived in.
Hele, That must have really been painful. Wow. I hope the matter got sorted quickly!
How are they going to get back home? I am worried about them. Mater should to Portugal just to make sure!
Tangobaby- Mater can't! She's gone on a trip to London, wouldn't you know, and is unavailable at the present time to assist in any emergencies.
Sigh.
:)
Then those people might end up staying in Portugal for longer than a week! Mater is a good sport, that's for sure.
Does she know about her fan base in the US?
Mater called me this afternoon on her cell phone from outside Buckingham Palace. Just to show off. She does know about her fan base, and she mentioned you all to the Queen of England who was very impressed indeed ;)
Wow. Mater is very cool.
Maybe she and the Queen shared some crumpets! ;-)
Mater is quite cool I suppose!
Thank you- I'll pass on your message the next time Mater calls to let me know what sights she's seeing...and what I'm missing ;)
Crumpets sound good...with hot tea.
Post a Comment