Petal power

Petal power—

For the entire flight, the young man next to me didn’t stop talking to the neighbor on the other side.

The man, B, had been lost in life and found himself through his passion for the arts, especially in videography, grateful to have support that gave him some time and money to do this. His video work for a tattoo studio drew a phone call that changed his life.

The voice on the line offered a role; at first, the role offered was to run art-focused sessions rehabilitating adults in prison. B said that was too scary and declined. But the voice replied, how about juveniles in prison? B worked well with and liked kids, so he thought to try it. It turns out, he was the only one operating the new program and even dictated what equipment would be used, including video and voice recording equipment. Many of the delinquents would excitedly sing or rap or make videos, but most gratifyingly to B, they would make silly things or heart-full things.

B’s work fulfills him, and he couldn’t be happier. Now, he is the Art Program Director for delinquent rehabilitation at XZYXX.

I listened without speaking, splotching paper with colors until they became flowers. B apologized to me for talking so much and being bothersome. Planes make him nervous, and this was his first flight in some years. I told him he was totally fine.

It was a wonderful story, and I disembarked the plane with warmth.