The Lesson iLearned When iBroke My iPhone

iFound Faith

After packing my bags, and a last goodbye to a friend, I headed to the airport. I wasn't exactly looking forward to giving up the 80 degree weather, penthouse view, and time with my friends to return back to a loud and rainy city. I found myself waiting in security for about an hour with a mood which didn't reflect my usual self. After security and a ride via airtrain, I made it to the gate a few seconds too late. Luckily there was another flight leaving shortly so it wasn't so bad.

I rushed towards the next gate, located on the other side of the airport, and made a stop at the restrooms. After closing the stall door, my iPhone had decided to jump my pocket to the toilet. "Seriously?!" was pretty much all I could say, while finding it humorous and aggrevating at the same time. 

I made it to the gate, was called for standby and got on the plane back to New York. The women next to me complimented me on my bracelet, with little conversation following. After landing in New York, she opened her hand while saying "I want to give this to you". Inside was a tigers eye ring, hand carved from Honduras. I found it shocking that a total stranger had offered me such a beautiful gift, so I gave her my bracelet in return.

I got off the plane in a fantastic mood despite not having my iPhone, and headed to the 24 hour Apple store in a cab. While comparing Miami and New York to the cab driver,  I had mentioned that people in New York don't take enough time to enjoy the company of other people. He kept the conversation going while comparing his personal experiences to mine. I was finally at the Apple store, so I payed, and jumped out to get my suitcase. He told me "Don't worry about the meter, I want to wait for you". I was a little confused why he wanted to wait for god knows how long, to bring to my final stop, at home. I agreed, although I took my suitcase inside the store, since I was nervous about the situation.

With a "bio-hazardous" iPhone, my only option was paying $550 for a new one, so I decided to wait on Verizon's decision. The cab driver was in the same spot I last saw him, so I got back in. "Why do you look sad?" he asked. "I'm fine, it's a material object anyway.. I'm just disappointed" I said. After looking at my ring, I reminded myself that my iPhone is easily replaceable. "I'm going to help you" he said, before realizing that he didn't start the meter to charge me for my ride home.

"Do you know why I waited for you?" he asked. While previously being nervous about the situation, I wasn't so sure. "I wanted to prove to you that some people will take the time out to appreciate you. It doesn't matter whether you're here or Miami... some will." 

I sat their in silence for a second, recognizing that he was actually right. After missing my flight, breaking my phone, and being exhausted from traveling, I was able to experience one of the most amazing feelings I've felt in awhile... faith. The woman from Honduras and the cab driver, left me gifts way better than a handheld device. They left me appreciation and hope, which was much harder to replace than a silly iPhone.

We pulled up to my apartment, and I thanked him repeatedly. After telling me he hasn't made many friends after winning his green card to come here, I said "now you have". After jumping out of the cab and grabbing my suitcase, I hugged him to show that a perfect stranger was now his friend. It felt good to "repay" him for the free ride and the point he proved about people making time for eachother. 

Once I was able to relax, I found out that my new tigers eye ring had a deeper meaning. It is a symbol for settling down, reproductive health and calmness, all areas where I could use some help. If I believe anything it's that "everything happens for a reason". With no worry about my iPhone, my trip was finally over, returning home with heavier bags and a lighter heart.  

P.S. my iPhone was replaced by Verizon for FREE the next day <3