Flying with Hilda

When my first flight landed, there was no one available to drive the jet bridge next to the plane, so another 15 minutes ticked off my connection time. Once I deplaned, I had exactly 10 minutes to get to another terminal and, of course, the gate was the last gate in the corridor.

I walked as fast as I could, pulling my wheeled bag behind me. I was not about to run (what a sight that would be). Images of O.J. Simpson running through the airport for a commercial some 35 years ago sped through my head. I knew I would never be able to pull off what O.J. had. As I got to the gate and the attendant scanned my boarding pass she said, “Run, we are closing the door to the plane.” This comment struck what might have been my last nerve, and I was upset.

I reached my seat with a second to spare.

Of course, I always want the window seat so I can sleep by propping my head against the wall of the plane, so I disrupted the two women who were all buckled in and ready to go. “Ugh,” I thought to myself as I climbed in, “this is going to prompt a conversation.” I like to use my air travel as down time, but it was soon obvious that was not going to be the case this time.

The woman next to me said hello, I responded, and before I knew it, I was telling her my travel woes of the day. The conversation continued and I enjoyed every minute of it. As we talked freely, I realized this woman was amazing. She was talking about traveling, buying her tickets on line, printing off boarding passes, e-mailing with her friends, using her cell phone and many other technically savvy pursuits.

She also shared some of her life story, which was no less amazing to me than her technical abilities. I couldn’t help it, I wanted to know her age. I thought she was probably in her late 60s and to hear her speak of all the modern technological she used in her daily life was astounding. Finally, I mustered up the courage to ask her age and she proudly announced, “I am 84 years old.” I could not believe it.

I have given lectures to dental hygienists who do not own a cell phone. I have been in dental offices that still do not have a computer. And here I was sitting next to a woman that has embraced progress to the fullest extent at age 84.

When we landed, I thanked Hilda for the conversation we had. I also told her she had inspired me to keep educating people about progress in technology. As dental professionals, we are being asked and we are asking others to take advantage of technological progress every day. Even though we may be resistant to change, we can do it. If a woman who is 84 years old can do it, so can we. We have no excuse. We need to get with the program or we will be left behind wondering where everyone else went.

I guess there was a reason my flights were delayed after all.

Editorial note: This article was originally published in Hygiene Tribune Vol. 4 No. 7, July 2011.