My OperaThe Plane Letter 2
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 7:40:42 AM
He kept it in his back pack, tucked away securely to read on the plane. It was a precious gift that he was saving for the perfect moment, right after takeoff. It was a plane letter given to him a day earlier by his girlfriend. He was anxious to read it. They had just celebrated their one year anniversary.
While we sat, waiting for our departure, Jonathan our 16 year old son, shared how he could not wait to read the plane letter that Cori, his girlfriend, had written for him.
“When did she give it to you?” I asked.
“Yesterday.”
“And you still haven’t read it?” I thought that he must have taken at least a fast peek.
“Kim, it is a plane letter, I'm supposed to read it on the plane.”
“But we’re in the airport, isn’t that close enough?”
“No Kim. The idea is that the person who receives the plane letter must read it after there's isn’t any chance of contact with the person who wrote it.” He tried patiently to clarify the concept.
“Why should you be out of contact?” I did not get it. Simply because they consider it a plane letter, doesn’t imply that there’s a law created that says you have to read it on the plane.
“So that in case she writes something, um, personal, then I can't pick-up the phone and call her immediately after reading it. There needs to be a settlement period.”
Ah... the rules of engagement.
“But aren’t you wondering?” Most likely my curiosity was more than his.
“Yes, I'm, very much so.”
“So can’t you just read it now? How will she know when you look at it anyway? She’s not here.”
“Kim, it is a plane letter. I have to read it on the plane.” I was told.
The flight was delayed. We sat and waited for more info.
We were told that due to mechanical issues we had to keep waiting until they're set. I was grateful that the mechanical problems were going to be addressed before we got onto the plane. We continued to wait patiently.
Then the flight was cancelled. And now, because of very bad weather conditions, there was not a single flight heading to Ft. Lauderdale, the departure point for our cruise. We were told that we missed the boat.
No boat, no plane, no plane letter. They put us up at a hotel for the night and scheduled a flight the following day. I could not fully grasp why there weren’t exceptions to the plane letter rule.
“But your flight was cancelled, you can take a look at it now. I am sure that Cori would likely understand.” I thought that he would cave in and take a look at the letter. To no avail – he held out.
The next morning we're back at the gate way in the terminal.
“So did you read the letter, Jonathan?”
“Kim, it is a PLANE letter. I must wait until I’m on the plane.”
“Do you want me to read it for you?”
“No thanks, I will wait.” I was amazed at his resolve. The rules were the rules and there was no way that he'd break them. He honored the plane letter until the moment was right.
Onto the plane we went and a few minutes before takeoff I fell asleep. The minute I woke up I asked the question, “Did you read her letter?”
His ear-to-ear smile supplied the answer.
“Was it actually worth the wait?”
“It was worth every minute.” He responded with 100 percent certainty.
I was amazed at how a sixteen year old boy could have much calm and patience. I was even more amazed at how much he even enjoyed the wait. He knew it would be good. He did not have to force the issue or hurry the process. He expected it to rock his world and it did. All in good time was the lesson he taught me. All in good time.
Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Start your own free, personal, online journal at www.frameofmindcoaching.com.
While we sat, waiting for our departure, Jonathan our 16 year old son, shared how he could not wait to read the plane letter that Cori, his girlfriend, had written for him.
“When did she give it to you?” I asked.
“Yesterday.”
“And you still haven’t read it?” I thought that he must have taken at least a fast peek.
“Kim, it is a plane letter, I'm supposed to read it on the plane.”
“But we’re in the airport, isn’t that close enough?”
“No Kim. The idea is that the person who receives the plane letter must read it after there's isn’t any chance of contact with the person who wrote it.” He tried patiently to clarify the concept.
“Why should you be out of contact?” I did not get it. Simply because they consider it a plane letter, doesn’t imply that there’s a law created that says you have to read it on the plane.
“So that in case she writes something, um, personal, then I can't pick-up the phone and call her immediately after reading it. There needs to be a settlement period.”
Ah... the rules of engagement.
“But aren’t you wondering?” Most likely my curiosity was more than his.
“Yes, I'm, very much so.”
“So can’t you just read it now? How will she know when you look at it anyway? She’s not here.”
“Kim, it is a plane letter. I have to read it on the plane.” I was told.
The flight was delayed. We sat and waited for more info.
We were told that due to mechanical issues we had to keep waiting until they're set. I was grateful that the mechanical problems were going to be addressed before we got onto the plane. We continued to wait patiently.
Then the flight was cancelled. And now, because of very bad weather conditions, there was not a single flight heading to Ft. Lauderdale, the departure point for our cruise. We were told that we missed the boat.
No boat, no plane, no plane letter. They put us up at a hotel for the night and scheduled a flight the following day. I could not fully grasp why there weren’t exceptions to the plane letter rule.
“But your flight was cancelled, you can take a look at it now. I am sure that Cori would likely understand.” I thought that he would cave in and take a look at the letter. To no avail – he held out.
The next morning we're back at the gate way in the terminal.
“So did you read the letter, Jonathan?”
“Kim, it is a PLANE letter. I must wait until I’m on the plane.”
“Do you want me to read it for you?”
“No thanks, I will wait.” I was amazed at his resolve. The rules were the rules and there was no way that he'd break them. He honored the plane letter until the moment was right.
Onto the plane we went and a few minutes before takeoff I fell asleep. The minute I woke up I asked the question, “Did you read her letter?”
His ear-to-ear smile supplied the answer.
“Was it actually worth the wait?”
“It was worth every minute.” He responded with 100 percent certainty.
I was amazed at how a sixteen year old boy could have much calm and patience. I was even more amazed at how much he even enjoyed the wait. He knew it would be good. He did not have to force the issue or hurry the process. He expected it to rock his world and it did. All in good time was the lesson he taught me. All in good time.
Kim Ades, MBA, President of Frame of Mind Coaching and JournalEngine™ Software, is one of North America’s foremost experts on performance through thought management. By using her unique process of coaching through journaling, she works with clients to unveil and switch their thought patterns to ignite significant change and life transformation. Start your own free, personal, online journal at www.frameofmindcoaching.com.
