Small gifts

My last trip had a bit of a stressful beginning if I'm honest. My commute in wasn't much fun. I also had to head in to base a day early due to the early start time. Once I got to my hotel that first night, it was time to have some of the food that I packed along for the trip. It was at that time I found that the ice pack I used to keep some of my food cool decided to leak. So, some unnamed chemical goo was all over my food and other things in my flight case as well. The air conditioning unit in my room was quite noisy to say the least. The mattress was about as soft as the floor as well. *sigh* Nothing was catastrophic, but a lot of little annoying things seemed to be popping up.

In the morning, I was up early since I didn't sleep all that well, so I cut short the uncomfortableness, and went down for breakfast. I had a little bit to eat and some coffee. I noticed a family in the lobby waiting to go to the airport, perhaps on vacation. The youngest of their children was a very cute little girl, around 5 or 6, I would guess. When the van pulled up in front of the hotel and we all started making our way to the front, this cute little girl walked right up to me and handed me this little item pictured above. I don't know what its made of, but it appears to be little plastic fit-together pieces of some kind, in the shape of a Space Shuttle Orbiter. Needless to say, I really didn't expect it at all. I was fairly speechless to say the least. However, I had to say something. So, I managed to utter, "Is this for me?" She simply nodded yes and then walked away back to her family. I said a thank you and looked up at the family, with somewhat of a, "Is this for real? Is this something she isn't supposed to give away?" I was really taken by surprise. Her Mom said with a smile on her face, "She's been looking for a pilot to give it to." I replied, "I guess I was in the right place!"

Looking back, there was a lot more I could have done or at least said. "So, whats your name?" "When did you make this?" "Do you like the Space Shuttle?" I should have offered up a little more conversation with the little girl, but to be honest, I was just very much in shock. To me, it was a rough start to a trip. Just another night in a so-so hotel before heading in to work. I'm used to dealing with poor treatment, crappy opinions of me and my work by stuck up mainline pilots, crap pay, crap hours, upset pax, leaking ice packs. Then all of a sudden, it just didn't seem so bad. Here was a little someone that seemed to look up to me. It was a very small little thing, but it really meant an awful lot to me.

I think the plan will be to put a string through this little Orbiter, and make it an Xmas tree ornament from here forward. So, little girl, I didn't catch your name, but I will certainly remember you. Thank you!