Southwest passenger Tricia Belstra is hoping she gets to find a kind hearted flight attendant that gave her a heartwarming note as she was disembarking her flight so she can thank him.
Tricia was flying on SWA1076 en-route to Indiana via Chicago on 17 August when a flight attendant noticed she was visibly upset with an air sickness bag between her knees. He leaned in and asked if she was ok. She explained that she was flying back to bury her son, Kyle, the next day. The flight attendant gave his condolences and brought her a drink, while a passenger offered to pour it for her as her hands were shaking. The same passenger helped her with her luggage as she disembarked.
The note, in full, says:
“In 2004 my family lost my older brother. As traumatic as it still is for me, I can’t even pretend to truly know the pain you feel as a mom. I did, however, watch my mother’s grieving process (a process that will never end). Firstly, being a mother is about giving birth to a new life as a promise to the future. Your mission doesn’t end now — your son’s life is bigger than his death and always will be. My mom struggled desperately chasing a far away goal of somehow lessening the pain. As she realized now, the pain hardly lessens. Don’t expend your energy trying to chase this. Instead, go all out finding opportunities to experience joy. Visit family, get closer to those you’ve lost touch with, travel. This is your story and you owe it to yourself and your son to make sure that you survive this. Do not pressure yourself. The world is full of people who do truly care about you, even if it doesn’t feel that way. I won’t stop thinking about you anytime soon, or how you’re doing or what you’re up to. You’ll come out of this a stronger person and I’ll be rooting for you the whole time.”
She took the note to Kyle’s funeral and held on to it for the duration. She has since had the note laminated.
If you or anyone you know is struggling and needs help you can contact or visit:
Africa:
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Africa/
Asia:
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Asia/
Australia:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36
Canada:
https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/
Europe:
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/Europe/
New Zealand:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/get-help/in-crisis/helplines/
South America:
http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/South_America/
UK/Ireland:
Samaritans – 116 123
USA:
1-800-273-TALK