I worked as a flight attendant and met a lot of different people. Each one had their own story. But saving the life of a woman in the middle of the trip two years ago would change my whole life. Her thankfulness and kindness would give me hope when things were the worst.
Since my mom died of cancer, my life has been hard. I had just lost my husband and was living in a small flat in the basement. I was having a hard time accepting my loss.
It made me think of my mum and all the things we did to be there for each other. The gift was the last picture my mom ever made, which I sold to pay for her hospital bills. Seeing it again made me cry and thought of how much we loved and connected with each other.
The gift was from Mrs. Peterson, the woman whose life I saved on that terrible trip. Her goal was to return my kindness, so she had been looking for me. Her act was more than just a gift; it was a warning that unexpected things happen in life all the time.
I learnt that loss doesn’t mean the end of love; it just changes form as I spent Christmas with Mrs. Peterson. When we lose someone we care about, their memory and spirit can live on and help us.
That moment made me feel really close and warm, which I hadn’t felt in a long time. The nice things Mrs. Peterson did for me made my life better, and I was thankful for that.
When I looked around her lovely home, filled with the people and things she loved, I realised that saving lives can sometimes save us as well. And I would remember that moment of deep understanding for the rest of my life.
I was thankful that Christmas that I wasn’t by myself. I made a new friend, felt like I had a purpose, and was reminded that life is full of miracles and shocks.
