By Jo Mooy
We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once, before a word has been spoken.—Fyodor Dostoevsky
The coronavirus and COVID-19 has kept us separated and at a distance from one another, especially in grocery stores. We walk the aisles, careful not to pass too close to other shoppers, or giving the aisle a wide berth if too many are standing in it. That separation is necessary to keep the virus from spreading. But the same separation removes a human link that can emerge when strangers come together in a chance encounter.
Walking around the grocery aisles today, wary of each other, I remembered just such a chance encounter back in January. It was an encounter that left an indelible memory of a man I met. He comes to mind often because he was in his early 90s and is probably one of the elderly population of “seniors” who may be physically at risk.
Back in the day before social distancing, it was difficult to navigate the aisles of the Publix grocery store. The fresh produce aisles were worse in the morning because the clerks were busily stocking the shelves with fresh food that had just been delivered. When shopping at the same place for dozens of years, you get to know the employees; so, it wasn’t unusual to stop and visit, and catch up on news or what had been happening in each other’s lives.
That morning, laughing with the produce manager, my cart was bumped from the front. A
stern-looking man with a rigid military bearing stared me down. He was none too happy with the frivolity. My first reaction was anger, but in the next breath, I gave him my best smile and said, “I’m so sorry, Captain.”
Ignoring me, he pushed past me intent on his shopping. Undeterred, I followed up with, “Or are you a Petty Officer, Sir?” His cart slowed and turned back to me. I thought, “Oh oh, trouble may be brewing.” But that’s not what happened. He came back within five feet from my cart and said, “No I’m not a Petty Office, I’m a pilot.”
“No kidding! What airline?” I said.
His cart drew alongside mine. “World War II Flying Fortress, but now I fly Cessnas,” he said. I told him, “My father-in-law is 97 years old and flew a B-17 Flying Fortress on D-Day.” He was fully engaged now.
Our conversation continued. He told me how many missions he flew in the war, and where he was on D-Day. He spoke with great pride about his role and those of the other pilots. He told me about a special friend who was 102. That friend was still flying airplanes until his death in 2019. His friend was the oldest veteran who had been celebrated for his accomplishments every year when the WWII events were held in Washington, D.C.
I learned about the collective lives of all these veterans. He told me where many of them now lived. He shared how he joined the Air Force and how the bombing missions changed his life. The pride of serving his country in World War II was as dignified as his bearing.
I learned that inside the lining of their bomber jackets was a map of the European theater they were bombing. If they were shot down, the maps in the bomber jackets would indicate routes where others would lead them to safety. We’d spent over 30 minutes talking when he realized he’d come to do shopping and said he had to go.
“Maybe I’ll see you again,” he said. The man who had bumped my cart and given me a hostile look hugged me goodbye. As we parted I gave him a final military style salute. He teared up for a moment, then the WW II bomber pilot and his cart left produce and headed for the bakery. Though their numbers are dwindling at the rate of 350 a day, I’d just been hugged by a veteran of the Greatest Generation.
I left Publix that morning with a smile and a lighter step. I’ve never seen him since. I pray that he’s well and safe from the virus.
Jo Mooy has studied with many spiritual traditions over the past 40 years. The wide diversity of this training allows her to develop spiritual seminars and retreats that explore inspirational concepts, give purpose and guidance to students, and present esoteric teachings in an understandable manner. Along with Patricia Cockerill, she has guided the Women’s Meditation Circle since January 2006 where it has been honored for five years in a row as the “Favorite Meditation” group in Sarasota, FL, by Natural Awakenings Magazine. Teaching and using Sound as a retreat healing practice, Jo was certified as a Sound Healer through Jonathan Goldman’s Sound Healing Association. She writes and publishes a monthly internationally distributed e-newsletter called Spiritual Connections and is a staff writer for Spirit of Maat magazine in Sedona. For more information go to http://www.starsoundings.com or email jomooy@gmail.com.