To change the world you’ll need a pen. – Donald Miller
The Free Writing Pen. Recently I was going through my ink pen collection replacing the cartridges. I use a lot of ink, and although free writing pens abound, I purchase refills. As I matched the right refill to each pen, I found one that had not been used for some time.
I found the correct refill and began to use it in my daily journaling. Most of my pens are rather ordinary, but I have some special ones. I like this particular pen because it is a slim pen and fits my hand well. It is comfortable to use.
I’ve had this pen for over forty years. It is a simple pen made of plastic and does not even retract. I got it for free from a Sheridan Hotel at the Frankfurt Germany Airport in August 1981.
A Pivotal Decision
I had been vacationing in France with my husband as the air traffic union in the United States talked of going on strike. In our system, air traffic controllers, as civil servants, take an oath not to strike.
As an air traffic controller in the last stages of training, I considered canceling my vacation. However, threats, rumors, and, talk were not actions. So I was encouraged to take my earned vacation time. I joined my husband as he concluded classes at the University of Strasbourg toward his master’s degree.
I traveled to Europe on a training flight in the jump seat. To return, I was to call the airline station manager 24 hours ahead to verify my place on the jump seat. This was before cell phones and the internet, so televised news, snail mail, or expensive long-distance phone calls were the only way to communicate.
When I called, the manager informed me he was having trouble getting flights out to the United States. I immediately called my facility in Los Angeles. The facility manager informed me that the strike was on, and I was to report to duty immediately. He knew I was out of the country on approved leave. I told him I was on my way.
Free Writing Pen Reminds
I called the station manager back and told him what was going on. He said I had the jump seat on the next flight out, but they would not hold the plane. We packed up and drove the two hours to Frankfurt.
Unfortunately, I did not make the flight. My next opportunity was in two days. My husband’s flight on another airline was leaving the next day.
We turned in our rental car, and got a room at the Frankfurt Sheridan, across from the international terminal. I stayed close so I could head to the gate when my flight was released. My husband did the same.
When my husband left for his flight, I was on my own. I watched TV, on the only channel not in German. I was packed and staged to head out the door. This pen was on the nightstand. When the call to board came, I grabbed the pen and put it in my carry-on.
The trip home was wild but for another time. I arrived at Los Angeles International at 6 am on August 5th. I reported for duty that afternoon.
Objects Hold Powerful Memories
When these memories are captured, they become rescued stories. A simple free writing pen takes me back to those few days traveling home. I remember:
- watching reruns of Wagon Train at the hotel waiting for the call.
- ordering room service so I would not miss the call – remember no cell phones…
- the uncertainty of what would be waiting once I got back to my job
- The apprehension of saying goodbye to my husband when his flight left.
- Feeling alone when left to wait on my own.
I did make it home via Frankfurt to Gander Nova Scotia, to JFK to Chicago to LAX, but, as I said, that is a story for another time.
Look around where you are right now. Is there an object just waiting for you to tell its story? Writing this story took me a couple of hours in two sittings. Two hours! Isn’t your story worth it?