Home  >> Stories  >> The Tale Spinner #2019-08

---

NOTE FROM THE ASSISTANT EDITOR: I, Judith, am back in Ottawa and working hard preparing for my retirement at the end of the month. However, the editor of this publication would like me to continue sending out the Spinner this week. She hopes to be back doing it herself soon. The Assistant Editor apologizes to Jean that this edition falls short of her usual quantity and quality.

IN THIS ISSUE

• Update on Jean
• Heroic Story: One Person Can Make a Difference
• Irene Harvalias sends a sweet video about sharing
• Rafiki sends a cartoon that applies to Jean
• Rafiki sends a picture of the last cat built for the day
• Shirley sends two technology cartoons
• Web sites: Judith shares two ted talks

UPDATE ON JEAN

Jean is still in the hospital, fighting the kinds of issues that come up when one stays in bed most of the time. She has done some standing and even some walking, and we´re all hoping that she´ll be able to get around more soon.

Jay spends quite a few hours with her every day, helping her eat, feeding her ice chips, and joking with her. Even when things are difficult, Jean strives to be funny.

I, Judith, will be returning to her apartment in New Westminster in April, and will arrange things so that she can return to it if she is able. I will also hang around as much as necessary to support her at home. Jean is *really* looking forward to going home.

Once again, she sends her thanks to all of her friends who have sent good wishes her way. A stroke is a major body blow, and she finds your words encouraging.

HEROIC STORY: ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

by Bob Blees, Missouri, USA

It had been a long hard week, and I was heading home one day in 1994. I was a computer consultant, specializing in on-site training, which meant I was a typical road warrior. My work "week" normally started Sunday morning when I caught a flight to wherever I would teach the next week, and ended with a flight home on Friday, arriving home around midnight. Trying to be a good trainer was rewarding but exhausting. Anyone who´s taught knows that you have to be on your toes all the time. You need to stay tuned in and responsive to your students. By Friday evening I was pretty well worn out.

One of the few perks of flying as much as I did was getting an upgrades to first class without much difficulty. This flight was no exception. It was non-stop from Kennedy airport in New York to LAX in Los Angeles.

As I settled into my seat, I noticed two young, unaccompanied children being seated by the stewardess in the front row of the Coach section. They appeared to be a brother and sister, about 6 or 7 years old. I groaned inwardly, as I thought of five hours with two young children right behind me and no parents in sight. My worst fears were soon realized.

The flight attendants tried to keep an eye on the kids, bringing them coloring books and crayons. But it´s hard to be 6- or 7-year-olds, cooped up and all alone on a six-hour plane flight. The flight attendants had a full plane to deal with. The noise level from the seats behind me was rising.

Then a woman in First Class stood up, spoke briefly with the flight attendant, then went back and sat down with the children in coach. For the next four plus hours, until the flight landed, that lady talked and colored, and told stories, and generally kept those kids occupied, happy, and quiet.

She seemed to be totally enjoying herself. When we finally arrived in LA, she turned the two children over to the Flight Attendant and disappeared down the aisle to the exit. I was amazed and grateful that this woman was willing to give up her pampered seat in First Class, go sit in coach, and entertain two nervous, bored children on a long trip. She didn´t make a big deal out of it, she just did it.

All of us seated close to those children were grateful for her intervention. Even better, the two children had a delightful experience rather than a miserable trip. Witnessing this, it really hit home to me that one person can make a difference, and it doesn´t matter who you are.

Oh, did I mention I recognized her? The woman who moved from First Class to Coach to calm the children? It was Dolly Parton.

E-mail subscriptions to HeroicStories are free. Sign up here: HeroicStories.org.

Irene Harvalias sends a video about sharing:

She says: "This is SO very sweet…."

A CARTOON: WHEN I AM RESTING... Sent by Rafiki

A PICTURE: THE LAST CAT BUILT FOR THE DAY

Sent by Rafiki

Shirley sends two technology cartoons:

SUGGESTED SITES

Judith shares a favourite TED web site about a robot that flies like a bird:

The end of this short TED video (at about minute 4) is one of Judith´s favourite images ever.