By Debby Merickel

Who is Mr. Renner

He was at once alone and everyone’s friend. It had been over 80 years since he visited the country of his birth, Sweden. He had no memories of this place as he left before his first birthday; however, it was his mission to visit before he died.

The First Step

We first encountered him early on the morning of our departure at the airport standing in front of a formidable staircase with his big black suitcase. My friend did not hesitate to add his bag to the ones he was carrying. I found him a cart and pointed him in the direction of the ticket counter.

A Long Day

We had arrived early and unfortunately left very late due to a 5 hour delay. With each passing hour more of the passengers started sharing their frustration with the airline personnel who were not offering any information. The more seasoned travelers knew they would not make their connecting flights and furthermore knew they would not get home that day. Annoyance was becoming irritation; some people were more than agitated.

The Calm before the Storm

Somehow, Mr. Renner, the 80 year old, became the calming spirit as he shuffled from one group to another retelling his tale. He had either misunderstood his travel agent or was given wrong information as his hotel reservation was not honored. He then was put up at another location and was unprepared for the cost. Consequently he spent his three days in Stockholm only walking the short distances his legs would carry him and dining on snacks. He was ready to get home but he was not complaining.

Confusion Trumps Chaos

We didn’t see him again until later that evening in Amsterdam as we hustled from one airline counter to the next trying to rearrange flights home. He approached an agent with a solicitous tone asking where w his luggage was and where was he supposed to go and when was that again? I’m not sure that he recognized me but when I suggested he follow us and we’d take him downstairs and get things straightened out for him, he gladly obliged.

A Helping Hand

We got his ticket for the next day, went to another desk to get his voucher for the hotel and then outside to catch a bus. He followed us, trusting strangers as he would his own children. As we waited for his bus, the van that was taking me to a different hotel came by. The driver tried to rush me as this was his last trip of the day. I struggled with this new dilemma when karma intervened. A couple who were stranded with us in Sweden approached and greeted Mr. Renner. He happily related the details of the afternoon and fondly referred to me as his new personal travel agent. I quickly surmised they were heading to the same hotel as he and they happily agreed to get him settled for the night.

Pay Back

I happen upon a Mr. Renner almost every time I travel. Oftentimes it’s me. In Korea, a young family went miles out of their way fearing that I would make the wrong connection on the subway. A woman in Paris walked me back to my hotel that somehow moved. A man in a yacht dragged me and my sail board back to shore in his dinghy. Pay back is something I need to carry in my wallet as “lost” is routinely a part of my itinerary.

Everyone’s Turn

Travel industry employees frequently are too busy, too unionized, or too underpaid to take care of Mr. Renner. I challenge you, the reader, to keep an eye out for him. Help when you can, care when you can’t, and together we can make our trips more memorable and more satisfying. <<

Debby Merickel is putting the finishing touches on her book– a travelogue called “The Misadventures of an Aging Globetrotter.” Debby has traveled over 85 countries and 65 of them were after she turned 50, eight years ago. Reach her at Debby@LetLifeIn.com