Lending An Ear
On American flight 32 from St. Louis to Los Angeles I sat beside an 84 year old man named Walter Stamper (“Just like they do at the post office”). A veteran actor of the days of live radio, he was returning from a senior’s tour of Branson, Missouri (“We saw nine shows in four days and I’m not even on my medication”). His hunger to connect bubbled forth like too-quick poured champagne. He chatted with me. He chatted with the “little gal” to his right. He repeatedly hummed the tune “Hey, Look me Over”, and asked the name of every flight attendant in willful disregard of their nametags. And all of his interactions were conducted in a voice about two notches too loud. Such is the way of yearning folks.
As he tested my waters with some conversation starters, my first impulse was to discourage him. After all, we had three and a half hours ahead (he gave me a countdown every fifteen minutes) with nothing to distract us but a soggy ham Panini, and I had a laptop full of e-mails calling my name. But in a brief moment of clarity I realized this was an opportunity for service. If I opened myself a bit to him, I guessed he could provide a nutrient found neither in the sandwich nor the work.
A few hours later, I had the whole story. His talent for bread-baking has made him the toast of the neighborhood (“no pun intended”). A lover of trains, he had traveled on over 100, mostly with his “fair bride” who passed the year before, after 49 years of marriage. He had lost a granddaughter in the Pentagon attack shortly before her wedding. The seeds of his neediness were not buried deep.
And as we de-planed hours later I wandered towards the Taxi stand and arrived at that subtle high that always comes from extending myself, whether I wanted to or not.
You can join me…
Spotlight Questions
A few questions to ask yourself…
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Who in my world needs a little human contact today? |
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Who around me goes home to an empty house? |
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Whose thirst could I satisfy with five minutes of my full attention? |
Application Point
Pick an opportunity in the next seven days to listen deeply to someone who needs it and mentally note the results.
If the smile I got at baggage claim is any indication; your Walter Stamper will thank you.
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