Mile High Love

"Helping someone is what life is all about." -Willie Stargell

The stories are written everyday, in the back pages of the newspapers and the collective memories of those present. The doom and gloom headlines overshadow with words of destruction and mayhem. The killings and crimes, the sensational and hate shout out at us from all angles.

But these other stories are those of good works, of people stepping forward in love. They are the stories you catch in the corner of the page, next to the local jamboree fair. Most of these stories only get read on the third or fourth reading pass of the newspaper.

Many people will never see this story and in this particular case, it took place at 35,000 feet in the air. It was to be a simple business flight from Atlanta to Boston. Early on a Monday morning and all was going well. The State of Virginia was passing beneath us when the call came out over the intercom.

Was there a doctor, paramedic or nurse on board the plane? Was there anyone in the cabin containing 186 people have the ability to help with a medical emergency? In most cases there always seems to be a doctor close by, but not this time.

The elderly lady had fainted and was now having a hard time breathing. Assistance was needed quickly and the Flight Attendants were doing their best. And then the familiar "bong" noise of someone's Call Button being lit up. We had someone that knew something about medical assistance.

This woman was a nurse if I heard correctly. She knew something of medical conditions and how to assist someone in need. So from her middle seat she sprang the five or six rows to where the elderly lady lay on the floor.

For several minutes a flurry of activity took place. Several minutes more went by and you could see the relief beginning to fill the faces of those around. Eventually she recovered from her affliction and was sitting up in a seat, in good enough shape to chat with those around her.

The nurse had done what was right and what came natural to her. But just having the ability, the training, the talent wasn't enough to spring her into action. It was love of a fellow human being, a self-less act that probably saved a life. In fact, it was love that saved a life.

Love is powerful in many ways and love in this case saves lives.