Christmas Flight Attendant And Her Dad Get This Year Off

There is no devotion like the devotion of a parent to his/her child.  It's funny, but as a kid, you don't recognize the sacrifices your parents make.  You just sort of take their participation in your life for granted and think, "Well, that's just what parents do."  Then, when you grow up and have kids of your own, you realize.  In my life, I never played a game that one (or 99% of the time, both) of my parents was not in the stands rooting for me.  Weather?  They never noticed.  And my dad had his own business, so when he was sitting in the stands or filming my games, he was doing that off the clock.  So, no money coming in.  Speaking of money, there's no telling how much my parents borrowed/spent for my education and allowing me to chance my dreams and opportunities.

On a related note, one of my favorite stories of the last several years is that of Pierce Vaughan and her father, Hal.  Pierce is a flight attendant with Delta Airlines.  As such, Pierce had to do the work thing on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Of course, Hal wants to be with his daughter on those occasions.  This is a problem.  Hal's solution?  Well, it was unique to say the least.

How cool is this?!  Dad, Hal, was able to pass-fly and board for free, Delta flights (if space was available).  And so, he made sure he was on every flight that Pierce worked during those days.  He didn't want her to be without family and he didn't want to be without her on the Christmas holiday.  Just recounting this story makes me well up (I'm getting soft in my old age <g>).

Good news for the family this year.  Pierce has the Christmas holidays off.  So, she and dad are grounded and together this year.