“God’s will for you is good, pleasing and perfect." ~ Romans 12:2
On the day the World Trade Center
fell, the Pentagon burned and passengers crashed their own plane, hundreds of
aircraft carrying thousands of passengers were ordered to land. Who knew how many additional suicide missiles
were looming in the skies over America?
When the US closed its airspace, tiny Gander (pop. 11,000) International
Airport in Newfoundland opened its runways, homes, and hearts, taking in 38 wide-body
planes on transatlantic routes.
The city lacked hotels or
restaurants to accommodate nearly 7,000 passengers, but the community knew that
the people from more than 100 countries were frantic. Volunteers across Gander began delivering
food and supplies directly to the stranded jets; still others prepared
makeshift shelters.
This is where one of the many inspiring stories of 9/11
unfolded.
"It’s camphor," Nick added politely from behind
her.
The two started chatting,
finding odd humor in the odorous blankets, realizing they'd been on the same
flight heading to Texas. In this strange,
albeit welcoming place, that coincidence seemed like something to nurture, at least for the time being.
Nick, a British businessman in his 50s, was heading to Texas
for work. Newfoundland was never on his
travel agenda. Diane was an American
divorcee returning from visiting her son, a US airman stationed in England.
The next day, they watched disturbing accounts about the
terrorist attacks in Pennsylvania, New York and Washington. Horrified by the murderous events they decided to take a walk. A local suggested they
hike to the Dover Fault, a breathtaking geological structure formed 410 million
years ago helping explain the evolution of the Appalachian Mountains.
It took five days for the relationship to bloom. But, when it became time to leave, each
wondered if their infatuation was merely one of necessity during such a
traumatic experience; if their feelings would dissipate once they jumped back
on life’s treadmill.
The answer would come less than two months later when Nick
proposed to Diane over the phone, 5,000 miles apart. Diane said, “Yes!!” Their honeymoon? Where else but Gander.
Once again, the newlyweds
underestimated the extent of the Newfoundlanders hospitality. They returned to a full-blown wedding
reception, complete with a multi-layer cake, champagne, and gifts. The mayor had even written the couple a song
about how they’d met in Newfoundland, fell in love and got married.
“Come From Away,” which immortalized their chance meeting, debuted on Broadway in March 2017, becoming an immediate box office success. Performances will resume later this month when theatres open again in NYC.
Nick
and Diane Marson have seen the show well over 100 times.
