Mobility

I recently took a quick trip to Portland to visit my daughter. We had a wonderful time hiking and visiting the coastline of Lincoln City. 

Twenty years ago, I was terrified to fly, especially by myself. For quite a time now, I have found the joy in surrendering to the sky. Many times, I am asleep before the plane takes off. There is a peace and trust now that surrounds me as I take my seat and hand over the reigns of where my life might go. 

When I manage to stay awake, I love to people watch, listen to my meditations, read, and ponder. On my way home, I had a full flight from Denver to Tulsa. I had not checked in when I was supposed to, therefore, I was the last one to board. 

The only seat left was close to the front which I was surprised by as I assumed I would be sitting in the back. I ask the woman on the outside if I could get in to the middle seat. As I did, I realized why no one had taken this seat before me. The woman could not get up from her seat. She pulled on the seat in front of her to try and get stability, no matter what she did, she could not get up. Everyone on the plane was watching. I wasn’t sure if I should help her or not, so I asked, “May I help you?” She nodded yes without making eye contact. I helped her stand, scooted into my seat, and then assisted her as she sat back down. 

For the rest of the flight, she was silent, and I was left to contemplate the gift of mobility. My cinematic mind gave me the image from a scene in “Under the Tuscan Sun” where the character of Katherine delivers a Federico Fellini quote: “never lose your childish enthusiasm.” My mind kept repeating “never lose your mobility.”

I realize there are many reasons why people lose physical mobility. Many times, the circumstances are out of their control. However, it made me think about what kind of choices, and literal steps I might make as I get older so that I do not lose the gift of mobility. Walk more, stretch more, all the things - all the actions I can take that are in my control.

And then I thought about the mobility of life. Our thoughts towards others, the way we treat and talk to ourselves, the space in which we give ourselves to live. If we have mobility in these areas, we experience a depth of living we might not otherwise get. I am taught that mobility is about staying out of judgment. I try to stay aware of where I tend to judge myself and others, knowing when I do, I find myself on the most narrow paths. 

I thought about this woman I was sitting next to. How dare I say she had lost her mobility. What if this was the most mobile she had been? What if this was the first flight she had taken by herself? What if this flight was a flight to celebrate as she was on her way to see a child, a grandchild? 

I am constantly being reminded that when I step out of judgment, I do not know much about anything which is a good place to be. It allows the path and the perspectives I carry, to widen.

As the plane landed, she turned to me and said, “When it is time, will you help me stand?” I smiled, nodded my head, and said, “Of course, let me know when.”