Travel Diary - Hawaii (Not Really- but the plane ride there is a story!)

This is a re-post from November 2009 but I'm guessing many of you are new to my blog. Since most of you have either been to Hawaii or have seen episodes of Hawaii 5-0, I probably don't have much new to tell you that you don't already know. But I did have an interesting encounter on the plane ride there. READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE. 

Monday I woke up at home and found out I was leaving for Honolulu the next day. A spur of the moment trip my good friend booked while I was sleeping. I couldn’t very well say no, could I? Would you? I haven’t done something so spontaneous in a long time, and I used to be a very spontaneous person in my younger, unencumbered years. So this feels really good. When you come from Canada, there’s just something about palm trees that sooths the soul. Especially in November.

But the coolest part so far happened on the plane ride on the long, no frills, Westjet flight from Vancouver. A gentlemen, (he later told me his name was Cliff) sat alone beside me in the isle seat. He was thin with grey hair and deep lines in his leathery face. His eyes were narrow and runny and he talked with his knarly knuckled hands.

He lives near Toronto and two years ago he and his wife of 58 years were in a car accident. It was his fault and his wife died. In the 58 years he and Shirley were married, they vacationed in Waikiki twenty two times. They were planning to go again for their 60th anniversary which is why he was traveling to Honolulu by himself at 83 years of age—to scatter her ashes.

He told us, me and my friend Donna, about how he had met his wife as a member of the British Royal Navy on loan to the Canadian Navy in the war. He was eighteen and she, fifteen. They got married sometime after the war,( he never moved back to England,) and he worked many years for Canada post. They had three children, loved to skate and hike together, traveled together and had a very happy life. He spoke of her with such love and admiration, it made my heart ache.

And it made me thankful. For my life—my wonderful husband, terrific kids and the adventurous life I’ve had so far. I hope that if I’m blessed with a long life like Cliff, I will be as spry, and aware as he is. And that I’d be able to forgive who I need to along the way, especially if it is myself.

So what do you think? Isn't that romantic?!