I recently had the opportunity to travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to share our story with the team at Archer Western.
The presentation was a success, and I was honored to be invited. But when I got home, I realized the presentation wasn’t what I kept thinking about.
I kept thinking about those people I encountered along the trip.
Travel can be a little complicated for me, so I never take kindness for granted.😉💛😉
The trip started before I even got to the airport. My friend Greta drove me to Sea-Tac, and once I arrived, Melissa at baggage check made my day. She was kind, understanding, waived a heavy bag fee, and even helped get my wheelchair where it needed to go. By the time I headed toward security, I was already feeling cared for.
To my surprise, TSA didn’t pull my carry-on bags for inspection, and I somehow made it through the metal detector without setting anything off. If you’ve traveled much, you know that felt like a small victory.
At the gate, I found myself smiling at two women wearing Kentucky Derby hats they had made while on a cruise. It was one of those random travel moments that makes you smile and wonder how you ended up having that conversation in the first place.
The flight itself went smoothly. I ended up with a window seat I wasn’t expecting, had a lovely seatmate who was returning home after celebrating her father’s birthday, and even managed to get a little sleep along the way.
When I arrived in Phoenix, the blessings kept coming.🙏☺️🙏
One of my favorite airport moments was meeting Elsie, a golden retriever therapy dog. If you’ve ever met a therapy dog, you know there is no such thing as a quick hello. They have a way of making everything feel a little lighter.💛🐶💛
The weather was beautiful, and I was welcomed by people who made me feel right at home.
A special thank-you goes to Brad, who seemed to be everywhere at once throughout the trip. He helped with countless details, drove me where I needed to go, and even stood there holding a microphone for Russ’s video presentation the entire time. The people working behind the scenes rarely get recognized, but they often make everything possible.
I also stayed with friends whose son generously gave up his room for me. He taught me how to play the card game Speed, and even let me love on his dog Ruby. Those are the kinds of moments you never plan for, but somehow end up remembering.
Of course, the reason I was there was to speak.
The presentation went well, the question-and-answer session led to thoughtful conversations, and it was meaningful to see how workers responded to our story and the video message he recorded years ago.
Every time I share that video, I’m reminded that his message continues to reach people in ways neither of us could have imagined.
Throughout the trip, I wore a yellow bracelet that used to belong to Russ. Most people probably didn’t notice it, but I did. It was a quiet reminder of why I was there and why this work continues to matter so much to me.
When I finally returned home, I started jotting down notes so I wouldn’t forget everything that happened.
- Not the flights.
- Not the hotel.
- Not the presentation schedule.
- The people.
- The kindness.
- The conversations.
The unexpected moments that made the trip memorable.
I’m incredibly grateful to Archer Western for the opportunity to share our story and to everyone who played a part in making the trip such a positive experience.
Sometimes we travel to make an impact.
Sometimes we come home realizing how many people impacted us along the way.
If you’re looking for a safety presentation that goes beyond compliance and creates a lasting impact, let’s talk about bringing a message that moves safety from the head to the heart to your next company meeting, safety event, conference, or leadership gathering.
One meaningful safety conversation may cost you an hour. One preventable incident can impact a family for a lifetime.
