A Lot Can Happen in a Year
- ThisIsRyssa
- May 25, 2020
- 4 min read
It all happens in a flash, doesn’t it? The passage of time slips away without us noticing. This time last year I was sitting at the departure lounge at Brisbane International Airport waiting to board my flight to Hong Kong then connect to Brussels. On this day last year I was embarking on one of the most important journeys of my life. I was headed to Belgium to meet my boyfriend face to face for the very first time after being in an online relationship for four years.
This time last year I spent an entire day travelling. It was the most exhausting experience I have ever endured in my adult life. I traveled 16,244km from Brisbane, Australia to Hasselt, Belgium. It was the first long distance trip I had done on my own. I remember how nervous I was and how sick I felt from being in a pressurized space for more than four hours. I hadn’t done a long haul trip like this since I was a child and back then I always had a parent with me.
I thought I’d always remember this day as something special, as something terrifying and perfect in all its imperfections. I thought I would wake up this morning emotional because of how much this day had changed my life. I did wake up emotional, but it was for a completely different reason.
This morning I woke up to the news that my father had lost his job. My Dad lost his job today. His job of 30 plus years. Today I woke up realizing that this is not the same world we were living in a year ago. For as long as I have been alive, my father was a proud member of our country’s international airline. Seeing him in his role as Purser (head of the cabin crew) filled me with such pride. My Dad loved his job. He was in his element and found great fulfillment in showing kindness to others when the rest of the world didn’t feel kind.
When Dad had to do the long stretches, he would be away for days at a time. But as soon as you hear that taxi come up the driveway and the dogs barking themselves something mad, no matter how old I was, excitement would take over because Dad was home. You hear him coming through the laundry room, bags and suitcase in tow. I’d hold on a little tighter when I would hug him for the first time in days as soon as he’d get into the house, his face cold from the air conditioning in the taxi and I would take in the scent of lemon grass he always has. He would be tired because he would have probably been awake for longer than he should have but he would make an effort to spend time with me and my siblings as soon as he got home.
When I was preparing for my trip last year, I was scared. Terrified. I would be in unfamiliar countries where I didn’t know anyone or spoke the native language. I called my Dad for help. Travelling had been his life for all of mine, there was no one else I trusted to help me through the anxiety. I sent him my itinerary so he at least knew my whereabouts. He gave me a list of things I would definitely need while I was in the air, coached me on how to pack sensibly, and strongly advised that I walked around the aircraft to keep the blood circulation going. And I followed every instruction.
For over three decades my Dad has dedicated his life to making sure that the services the airline provided to its passengers were nothing short of professional, accommodating and satisfying. He stood by his fellow cabin crew and fought for them. He was always there when they needed him. My Dad knew that business like the back of his hand and no one could compare.
Today the airline let over 700 employees go. This morning I cried. I cried because for the first time in over 30 years, my Dad did not have a job. A big part of my Dad’s life was no longer there.
A year. In a span of 366 days (leap year), I went from seeing crowded airports, packed schedule boards, and overjoyed crew members from every airline adorned with their most colourful uniforms and smiling from ear to ear, to a ghost town of an industry. Covid-19 has brought this titan to its knees.
Travelling is not a comfortable activity. It is loud, congested, demanding, and at times gross. But amongst the chaos, the cabin crew, the flight attendants, have been there for us. They look after us. They keep us safe and make sure that we’re ok. There are some of those who go above and beyond to help us when we are barely hanging on during the trip. Especially if you’re on board with a child that just won’t settle.
This one is for the cabin crew. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for waking up at all hours to get ready for your flight. Thank you for preparing our meals and making sure we are comfortable. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Thank you for your incredible hospitality and never ending patience for those who are always a bit too much. Thank you for your professionalism and dedication. Thank you for putting us first. Thank you for all the heart you put into your work. Thank you.
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