A Southwest Airlines Birthday

When she finished the discussion of emergency exits and inflatable life jackets, the flight attendant paused for a moment. Then she continued, with a different tone in her voice.

And this is a special day, she said.

I was looking down, so I didn't see if anyone looked up to listen to what she was about to say. Perhaps a few did, but you know how it is with the safety lecture on airplanes -- you pretty much continue with what you were doing while they drone on.

We have someone with us who is celebrating her birthday today.

I turned to look out the window.

Trudy is turning 40 today, she said.

Trudy, who was sitting next to me, yelped in surprise. Perhaps it was the public announcement of her exact age, which I had revealed. More likely it was being wished Happy Birthday in a plane full of people on the very day of it.

We were sitting near the front. I could see the flight attendant looking in our direction. I poked my head up above my seat and turned to the back and looked at all the faces looking to the front. I held my hand up and pointed down at the fair and industrious Trudy.

The cabin was full of applause. Trudy was smiling from ear to ear.

Her husband asked us to share that with you, the flight attendant added.

Trudy turned to me. I wasn't sure what to expect. She gave me a kiss.

---
On board a Southwest Airlines 737
Bound for Santa Fe

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Blue Flowers / Dark Skies

Are the blue flowers blooming? The ones that I saw at the end of last year? Are your blue flowers blooming in your front yard right now?

No, our blue flowers are not flowering, yet. The late winds of the winter came and blew the blue flowers away.

When will the bluebonnets be blooming -- the ones that stand in the sun in the front by the curb? Are they growing out of the ground right now?

Yes, perhaps we shall have a bluebonnet or two. And if the dark sky and rains come soon, as they tell me they might, perhaps I shall have time to show them to you.

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