You all know Maddy K. Or, at least, you've HEARD her. She's one of our PA announcement voices (and does a great job at it, too!). And speaking of her voice, she is also a very talented singer. Maddy is a student at the prestigious Sarah McLachlan School of Music.
To tell the truth, I don't know Maddy extremely well. This year is the first time I have ever taught her (she is currently in my Foundations 11 class). However, she was one of the 16 (fantastic, enthusiastic, polite, fun, funny, patient, mature, etc) students on the recently-completed France trip.
So I now know a little more about Maddy. I know that she has a fondness for ice cream. I know that she can withstand the cold impressively well (she wore dresses every day! Even on the days I was bundled up in a toque and gloves). I know that she is not a huge fan of stairs (we climbed a LOT of stairs!). But there's one thing I will NEVER forget about Maddy. And that's how she handled a very unfortunate situation on our way home...
Basically, our flight home was cancelled at the last minute and - after next to no sleep - we had to embark on a 24+ hour journey home involving three different flights. This would have been hard enough but, sadly, early on in this epic day Maddy got sick. As the hours passed and the fatigue mounted, poor Maddy got worse and worse.
At last, we made it to our final flight. We boarded the plane in Toronto and took our seats. Just before they closed the cabin door Maddy started shivering and the two of us decided it was just too much. So, rather than continue home with the rest of the group, Maddy and I got OFF the plane and returned to the Toronto airport.
I couldn't (and still can't) believe how well Maddy dealt with all of this. I honestly believe I would have curled up in the fetal position in the nearest washroom, crying myself to sleep. Not Maddy. She kept apologizing to me!!! (not necessary). She seemed so determined to "feel better in just a little bit". But she never really did. We hung out in a quiet corner of the airport for a couple more hours, Maddy managed to get a little sleep, and then we boarded a plane for the 5-hour trip home. And she was still sick. Poor, poor Maddy!
Finally, after over THIRTY hours of travel time (much of it feeling like crap, I'm sure) we made it home to Maddy's mom. What a welcome relief for all of us!
There is a well known expression that you only truly get to know someone's character in times of strife. And, I must say, Maddy demonstrated great determination and courage and (somehow) grace in a very difficult situation. I know it sounds weird Maddy, but I am very, very proud of how you handled yourself throughout our journey. I doubt a single one of the other 17 people on the trip would have been as amazing. Very few people would! Hope you are feeling better soon (and that you'll still have some happy memories from our trip)!