It was 2015 around Thanksgiving time. I was trying to get home from Chicago and routed through Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. That turned out to be a big mistake, but led to a moment I will never forget.
Recalling A Thanksgiving Blessing At New Orleans Airports
That routing idea was really a stupid idea, as the flight from Chicago ended up leaving late and I misconnected in New Orleans. Because the delay was blamed on weather and I was not 1K at the time, I was not offered a hotel voucher…or even a meal voucher until the following morning.
I was famished. My upgrade had not cleared on the Chicago – New Orleans flights and I had not eaten in many hours. But now it was closing time. Everything was closed or about to close.
In fact, the only place that still had its door open, was WOW Cafe. I walked in and was told by a little old black woman that they were closed.
I didn’t say anything and turned around to leave, but she must have seen the crestfallen look on my face, because she then said, “You’re hungry, aren’t you?”
I nodded.
She said, “Come here baby.”
And before I could say another word, she packed up the remaining fried chicken for me, added a couple cups of BBQ sauce, and handed it to me.
“A boy has to eat,” she said.
I pulled out my credit card and she refused, saying, “We was just going to throw these out anyway.”
And so my stomach was filled on a bench in New Orleans Airport thanks to the kindness of a total stranger who recognized I was hungry without me saying anything.
What an important lesson on so many levels. First, I was hungry, but hardly starving. Even so, she took pity on me and extended kindness for nothing in return. May we do likewise.
This appeared to be a woman in her late 60s or 70s and I felt bad that instead of retiring she was working at a fast food restaurant at an airport. But what do I know? Maybe she just loved the work. Maybe she owned the restaurant. I admired her work ethic and tenacity. In so many ways, it is more blessed to work than to sit. May we do likewise.
She had grown up in the 1940s or 1950s and had no doubt seen so much of our recent American history unfold. What a story to tell. But whatever that story was, she showed love and compassion. May we do likewise.
CONCLUSION
I’m forever touched by that small encounter at a fast food restaurant in New Orleans Airport. WOW Cafe is now permanently closed. I never even got the woman’s name. But I’m so thankful for her. And I hope that through her example you and I can pass it on.
Great story on this Thanksgiving Day.
All I can think of is Wow, oh wow. In a serious note, it takes a mensch to eulogize a kind soul who treated you with the importance reserved for family. Have a blessed Thanksgiving day!
Beautiful memory. All I was offered this Thanksgiving was a Turkey Pastrami sandwich on AA.
My condolences!
Well said.
Great story. Thanks for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Great story but you should have had a Lucky Dog.
Happy Thanks-Giving-Day
Thank you for the story. It really is about giving and thankfulness.
Nice story. It is the people I meet in my travels that I enjoy so much and have an impact on our lives without their ever knowing. Unknown but greatly appreciated workers in many airports, hotels etc. Happy Thanksgiving all.
Once on Singapore Airlines, I was so hungry that I asked for some food from the steward. I already ate the supplied meals. It was towards the end of the long flight. He said to eat as much as I wanted because the food would otherwise go to waste. They had donuts and lots of snacks.
Donuts! DOH!
I’ve never eaten in a WOW in a airport… though there is one in BTR where I frequent to visit the family… But the full service WOW restaurants that used to be in and around the Baton Rouge area were always amazing… I highly recommend the Kentucky Crispy Wrap….
But that lady sounds like she was full of old school southern hospitality and charm
This would have been a lot better story if you had pulled out some cash instead of your credit card and given her a tip.
“it is more blessed to [tip and share one’s good fortune] than to sit [on an airplane].”
I don’t like that way of thinking. It really cheapens what was a beautiful gesture.
A convenient reply from an entitled white boy.
Married to a German, the worst tippers in the
I tip very well, but I despise tipping. It is a remnant of a class system we need to outgrow.
Furthermore, nothing cheapens a gift like trying to pay for it.
I know exactly who you are talking about. I worked the ramp there for 30 years. I don’t know her name but she was always friendly and had a kind word no matter when I went for lunch. I wish I knew her name. I’m sure she is somewhere at the new terminal with the same kind attitude.
That, my friend, is the way of New Orleans folk. Living here, I am used to it. And what a thing to get used to! Sweet, caring, hospitable people who go out of their way to make others feel warm and welcome. A beautiful human trait, found rampant in these parts, and not at much elsewhere. Try and spread it!
Uh, why didn’t you eat on the plane?
Uh, no vending in the airport?
Uh, your rich. You couldn’t leave
the airport in a cab (and tip well)
to eat off site?
Uh, you couldn’t stuff your carry on
with snacks?
Uh, am I supposed to feel for you?
Whiteboy please…..