THE EDITOR, SIR:
LOSING a child is perhaps one of life's darkest valleys. As we walked a very sad journey through this valley recently, the kind words and actions of many people have supported us.
However, we would like to thank in particular, Michelle Mari's family at American Airlines.
Across the distance between Kingston and Los Angeles, the people at American Airlines reached out of us.
As we sat washed in tears and bewilderment in the hospital in California, George Hazey, managing director and Arian Saadzoi, manager of baggage and operations of American Airlines, Los Angeles, visited us.
They were at this very same time coping with the horror of the September 11 tragedy and the unspeakable loss of the passengers and crew forced into that attack.
Yet, once they were informed that one of their team members was in a coma - far away from home - they did not hesitate to visit, hold our hands, and compassionately guide us through that which we did not understand, but which they sadly knew all too well.
Here in Kingston, the American Airlines team headed by Carl Barnett, Wellesley Joseph and Michelle Smith, served as an anchor in the storm of sorrow.
By every deed, thought and word, they have showed us that employees are not mere numbers, but interconnected members of a worldwide family.
Thank you American Airlines, more than something special in the air.
We are, etc.,
THE TAPPER AND PARCHMENT FAMILIES
Kingston
