09/11/2026
25 years ago I was asleep in a hotel room in New Orleans when my dad woke me up to tell me that "our country is under attack". I will never forget how much anxiety I felt that day, and the days after, as we tried to figure out what was going on, what was going to happen, and most importantly, how we were going to get home.
But something else that I will never forget is the flight attendants on Southwest Airlines (five days later when we were finally able to get a flight home). How they smiled and greeted us as we boarded -- knowing how scared we all were. How they sat down in empty seats and talked to us during the flight. How they made us feel cared for and protected during a very scary time.
This is your reminder to show love and care for others. That people remember the small things. They remember the way you made them feel. Showing love, support, and appreciation are the most powerful things that we can do.
