by Jo Barnes –
Sometimes travellers coming through the airport have spent many hours up in the air, and fatigue shows itself in their pace and expression. The opportunity to breathe fresh air and walk again on solid ground is a welcome one.
A fellow sits quietly watching passers-by in the waiting area, every once in a while scanning the gate area.
“I’m waiting for Richard Voyer. He’s flying in from Beijing, via Vancouver,” says Arnold Stewart.
Richard has been away overseas visiting his wife’s parents.
“He wanted to be with them. He’s been away six weeks,” shares Arnold.
The two have known each other for many years and were once co-workers with the provincial highway engineering department. This isn’t the first time Arnold has driven out to the airport to meet his friend and drive him home.
Says Arnold: “I told him that I would pick him up when he came back. I’ve done it lots of times.”
Soon Arnold catches a glimpse of his friend in the line of travellers coming through the gate. Smiles break out and the two immediately engage in friendly chat. Having travelled all the way from China, it’s clear it has been a very long day for Richard. The offer of help with luggage, a lift home in the car and the sight of a familiar face at the end of an incredibly long journey are all very welcome indeed.
For you see, there is really nothing like the gifts of true friendship.
Sometimes when you’re waiting for a loved one at the airport, minutes seem to tick by so slowly. The anticipation hangs thick in the air.
A woman sits in the arrivals area. Every now and then she glances up at the schedule board to check the status of flights.
“I’m waiting for my mom. She’s coming in from Ottawa,” shares Suzanne MacKenzie.
Mom and daughter did some travelling a few months ago, but now time together means staying closer to home. Suzanne is having surgery soon and her mom Marion is coming out to lend a hand.
With a smile, she says: “I have a three year old. My mom is coming to help me out. She’ll be here for a month.”
As her husband is employed with the navy, Suzanne is no stranger to the arrival and departure experience. Her husband serves on the HMCS Winnipeg, so she knows well the anticipation of waiting for someone you love to arrive.
Airports bring people together. It might be a family reunion, two business people meeting, or in this case, a parent reconnecting with a daughter.
Passengers stream through the gate, and soon Suzanne’s mom appears, waving eagerly. It’s a happy arrival moment but more than that, in this situation, it’s a chance for one mother to show her daughter that she is always there to help.
The airport arrival gate: the modern world’s way of keeping families connected.
Nowadays businesses and the people they employ are often on the move. Business people can hop around the country or the continent thanks to the convenience and speed of air travel. Airports are portals through which businesses grow and thrive.
A man and woman wait in arrivals; their enthusiasm is quickly apparent.
“We’re waiting for Tim Cox who is coming in from Louisiana. We know him through a company we work for – it’s called LifeVantage,” says Ruth Westall.
Ruth and her husband Henry recently got involved with the health and wellness company and have attended many of its conferences.
“The product was presented to us and it was fantastic,” shares Henry.
Today they are keen to contribute further to the company and support a key company official.
“Tim is one of our executives. He is coming in to do some training. We’re picking him up,” says Ruth.
The couple look forward to attending Tim’s workshop in Victoria.
“We’ve been down to conferences down in the States where Tim was giving presentations. He is just a young fellow. He’s working his way up, and we want to support him.”
Soon Tim arrives at the gate and the older couple warmly greet him. It’s another personal connection at the airport, one prompted by a business opportunity. But it’s also a meeting between generations: an older couple wanting to do their part to further the success of someone at a younger stage of life’s journey.
