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WELCOME TO MERKA
Kindness is the only path to a safe arrival.
The man next to me on the plane seemed annoyed at the world, and emitted a disgruntled energy, as he struggled to climb over my legs to grab his backpack from the overhead compartment. I quietly offered, “would you like to get by?”, in a polite yet assertive voice. His “yes” was clouded with petulance and gave off an air of leave me the hell alone.
The flight took off and we went about the usual flight business of getting adjusted with a pillow and blanket, headphones, and meal service.
Airplanes are one of those no choice but get along situations, so I decided I would need to whip out my “kill em with kindness” sword that works well in most situations when dealing with grouchy humans.
The words of my friend Jeffrey, from thirty five years ago, are still cemented in my head today. “You never know what someone is going through, so just give them your beautiful smile and open heart.”
At one point in the nine hour flight, I helped Señor Grumpard to plug in his phone and access the Iberia wifi without exchanging too many words. I kindly let him out of his aisle seat two more times to use the restroom. Everything with a smile, and a polite “no problem.”
One hour from Chicago, as the window shades opened and light spread into the cabin, Señor…
