Outside of those working in the sport of track and field, how many pole vaulters have you met? Yeah, me too, until the summer of 2019. And what are the odds that both of those encounters would be connected to a United Airlines flight to Memphis? These unique interactions are one of the reasons I value traveling as much as I do. God has created some interesting people in this world and many of those I meet are often far away from my hometown of Jackson. In a later post, we will discuss how to relish being in Airplane Mode, but also know interacting with strangers on a plane can open your eyes to an entirely new world, such as pole vaulting.

Imagine standing in line at O’Hare in Chicago when you notice the backpack of the gentleman in front of you. As someone working in the field of sports, it’s sometimes easy to identify an athlete (it also helped seeing the dangling numbered bibs), but my mind began to ponder what type of sporting event he might be returning from on his travels. Honestly, my thoughts went more to a cowboy returning from a rodeo than to track-and-field, but our groups were called, we boarded the plane, and once my nose was into the book I was reading, those musings disappeared.

However, upon arrival into Memphis and awaiting the luggage carousel to cough up my suitcase, my curiosity was piqued again when the young gentleman stood in front of me, patiently waiting as well.  And boy was it ever heightened when he inched closer to the carousel and began retrieving a red, white, and blue case that just continuously flowed from behind the rubber curtain. By the time Andrew, I later asked his name, had retrieved his baggage, I’m dying to know what it contains. Especially, when Andrew used the length of his arms to carry the item over the heads of the passengers and lay it gently on the floor. As my eyes peered around waiting for someone to strike up a conversation that I could overhear to solve the mystery, no one even seemed curious! Waiting as long as I could (and those who know my curiosity, know how short a wait that was), I reached deep inside for courage and politely asked him what was in the bag.

Andrew, the kind, young gentleman that he was, answered my numerous questions, sharing that he was returning from a meet in the Middle East. As a sport management professor, I am constantly seeking illustrations, sports, and athletes outside the more popular major sports to highlight in our curriculum because there are so many opportunities within the industry that are unknown to most students. So, thank you, Andrew Irwin, for providing our students at Union the chance to follow the career of a professional pole vaulter. We wish you much success in the competitions ahead!

Now, imagine sitting on a plane from Denver, you have just been served your one cookie and have begged the flight attendant for the entire can of Diet Coke, which she reluctantly hands over, when a conversation begins with the gentleman in 7C. In the midst of an engaging conversation with Joe Ford, he shares that he is returning from Cheyenne and competing in the Senior Games in the sport of pole vaulting. What are the odds? So, I investigate the sport a little further with Joe and learn of his experiences in the sport. In addition to the sport conversation, Joe answers my questions about his career and early aspirations of spending his life on a green tractor growing cotton which ultimately transitioned to a career in forensic accounting. We discuss connections with Union and his teaching experience as we land in Memphis, and I am encouraged when he shares of a recent mentoring experience with a college student. As we part ways in the parking garage, Joe kindly offers to drive to Jackson in the future and share with my students about the Senior Games. Offer accepted and I secretly hope we might discuss a little fraud investigating too, as that sounds fascinating.

So, why post this here on a blog about flourishing at life? Because I delight in hearing about people’s passions, their interests, and their careers. The pilgrimage they are currently traveling is filled with unique experiences, both personally and professionally, and all of these experiences cultivate a life filled with memories and moments. Both encounters with pole vaulters, one with a young athlete beginning his professional career, another experiencing an encore career in the sport, offer a glimpse into all the opportunities available to the emerging adults I see every day.

Whatever season of life you are in, don’t ignore the times when God places people in front of you to engage in conversation, to learn about others, and to consider your own life journey. We never know if the Law of Random Relationships might open future opportunities to have your life enriched.

Please feel free to share any stories you have of interesting people you’ve met in your travels that you may never encounter again but have influenced you.