Are You Captain Sully?

The other morning I strode into the motel looking for two nieces suddenly in town for a funeral. Perhaps it was my delight in seeing them as I went to their table in the breakfast area that prompted a couple of patrons to approach us.

“Are you Captain Sully?” one asked. Whoa, I thought. Where’d that come from? I replied that I was not the celebrated Pilot of U.S. Airways Flight 1549, but was flattered to be thought so. They returned to their table and I embraced the two California moms and school teachers. I then had the pleasure of meeting the not-quite-one-year-old son making his airline and motel debut. The grand-nephew (is that a term?) seemed as tickled to see me as I him.

It had been several years since I’d visited these two remarkable ladies. It was certainly a breakfast treat and I suppose I was beaming a bit. As noted in an earlier post, 2010 launched a plateful of “Purple Bracelet” opportunities. But, for the moment, delight. Perhaps it was their unexpected visit that kicked this writer into a better stride that morning. Certainly something was new and improved.  No, I’m not Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. But I could play him on television...