Helpless

It's a very interesting feeling. Not a feeling you want to have. Not a feeling I can honestly say I have felt very often. It's a feeling that makes you say "I don't know what to do" and really really mean it.

I recently experienced this feeling two weeks ago when I arrived to the airport with my lovely Russian companion and we were told that he would not be able to check his cello as baggage. The oh-so-stubborn supervisor informed us that it is in US Airways policy that cellos cannot be checked and must be carried on to the plane with a purchased seat for the cello.

"Why?"- "It's our policy"- "But this cello has been checked with no problems many times before on airlines such as Delta, United, Continental."- "It's a liability issue. I cannot check your cello."- "Can I sign something to say that I'm not going to hold the company liable?"- "No. I can't do that. It also has to do with tariffs...but you wouldn't understand that."- "Sure..."- "You could buy a seat for it"- "Even if I had money to do that, this flight case is huge. It's designed to be checked not carried on. It wouldn't fit in the seat, for sure."- "You can check other airlines..."

After about an hour we had made no progress whatsoever. (Thank goodness for getting to the airport early) We did check with other airlines but there were no more flights by the other airlines out of that airport for the rest of the day. The only flight possible was a KLM flight out of Boston, a 1.5 drive away, and cost $2300, one way. Dmitry had to be in Moscow by the next day because he had his interview to get his student visa on Monday morning. He had a concert a week later in Amsterdam. What do you do?

Fast forward a week, I can't give all details, but the cello is in The Netherlands with Dmitry at the festival, but now he faces the same problems, and more, coming back. As you can expect, the average student who goes to school on full scholarship based on a large financial need, doesn't have the kind of money to just be able to pay through these fees in unfortunate emergencies. Really, at these times, one is helpless, incapable to do anything, crippled by rules and regulations.

In times like this, I think people need an hero. Maybe hero is an interesting word choice, but I am so grateful to say that he found one. Dmitry has been so blessed to have this benefactor in his life. He gives without asking, he gives when asking too much. His help was so crucial in working out this situation, and I don't know what would've happened without him.

So take the time tonight to think of that one person who has pulled you out of the hole when circumstances threw you in one. Thank that guy or girl who gave you the lift when you needed it, who helped you when you were helpless. And remember that person next time you have the opportunity to become an hero yourself.