When I was waiting for my plane to arrive this week I saw an older woman who looked like she was rather panicked.

There was something that drew me to her because I, too, have had that look on my face a few times when I was trying to find my way in a confusing airport.

When I sat down with her to chat I understood why she was so upset. She said she is unable to walk without a wheelchair but the airport didn’t bring the wheelchair she was promised. They dropped her off to a chair near the front and said that someone would bring the wheelchair to her. No one came and she was worried.

She had no cellphone, and it was it was obvious the older woman wasn’t used to traveling. She had no clue what to do next.

I pointed out an airline employee pushing an empty wheelchair near the plane. When I explained the woman’s problem to the guy he gave her the wheelchair and said that she would have help getting on her plane.

I have no idea if that wheelchair was originally meant for her, but I felt good knowing the women was in good hands.

I was at the airport in the very capable hands of my daughter Maria, and I wished the old woman had someone with her to help.

The only problem I had was that my daughter wanted to do everything for me.

She kept a firm grip on my arm and kept telling me to be careful not to fall.

I kept telling her to stop treating me like an invalid.

I have two friends who are recovering from serious falls. One of the women had her entire physical ability taken away after she fell in her bathroom.

So of course I am aware of the risk of falling and I try to careful to avoid risk.

Hey, I’m at the age when I have to be careful with every step I take. But I’m not yet at the stage when I need my daughter to hold me when I walk.

She won’t listen when I tell her I don’t need help walking.

But I know she means well and I am ever so blessed to have two caring daughters. My daughters are my most precious gift in life. They always were, and no matter what we will be there for each other.

All around me I see older people struggling to get along yet they seldom hear from their adult children.

Oh, sure. I could tell you some of the stories. But if you’re observant and you look around you probably know your own stories.

Yet, many lonely, struggling seniors mostly keep those feelings to themselves.

It is only my closest friends that tell me they long for more. More contact, more people, more visits from family. I wish everyone had a caring family. I know that is one of the priceless gifts in life.

What about folks without family?

My friend Pauline found the perfect family. She created her own family. They love each other and would do everything to help each other. While many observe the closeness of this “family,” few know it’s a family created by strong friendships, not biology. They refer to each other only as family.

What it takes to belong to that family is a sincere desire to help others and an abundance of love for others.

I have been told I am part of that family and I am ever so grateful. When I am with Pauline I am truly filled with love and gratitude. We know we can always count on each other.

Yet, it has only been a few years since we started our friendship.

It all started when I was going to spend Christmas with my family. David was staying home, the same as he always does, because he refuses to travel. For three years I stayed home with him for Christmas. But then I realized it wasn’t fair to me or to my family. My grandkids hadn’t seen me in years.

When Pauline’s family heard my husband, David, was going to be alone at Christmas they picked him up and made him part of their family. It didn’t matter that they barely knew him. They just embraced David with joyful acceptance.

Joyful is definitely the word for Pauline and her adopted family.

Pauline thrives on helping others. When she had painful tests last week she looked forward to going home and resting. Instead, when she got a phone call from an very old woman saying that she needed someone to come get her two hours away Pauline didn’t hesitate.

“She’s old. She needs help,” Pauline said. See what I mean? She puts service to others over caring for herself.

No wonder everyone loves Pauline.

We need more of Pauline’s kind of love.

My close friend Linda is fond of saying there are two kinds of people in this world: givers and takers.

Some people are fast to take from others. Givers like Pauline are always looking for ways to do for others.

May your path in life be filled with givers, not takers.

You, too, can be a giver if you are aware of those around you.

Perhaps there is someone you know who would be grateful for your helping hand.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net