Angel In The Sky With A Diamond

Sir Elton had Lucy who had diamonds in the sky. Originating back to 1967, the song is credited to Lennon-McCartney and said to be inspired by a nursery school drawing done by John’s son Julian, or was it? Seven years later Elton John released his cover version featuring backing vocals and guitar by Lennon. Now 51 years later from Sir Elton’s hit, I experienced my own rendition of being in the sky with diamonds, a very different and personal interpretation.

On March 5th, flying from Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to San Francisco (SFO), I had my own special experience with a diamond in the sky, or did I have two? My journey began in Barcelona at the wee hour of 3:00 AM. I was in Barcelona for MWC or Mobile World Congress for those of you that are not in the world of electronics and I flew from SFO through CDG to get to and fro from Barcelona (BCN).

I knew that this particular journey would be one of the most difficult in my life. It was not because of staying up all night, but because I had a couple terrible experiences during my stay, one of which was falling down the hotel stairs in my rush to catch the van to the convention center. The result of my fall was a severely sprained ankle, a damaged tendon and two breaks in the bone in my left foot.  I also had a large load of luggage and a PELI case to contend with as wellI due to electing not to ship items back to the US post event due to cost

Because of the accident, I needed to be transported through both airports – BCN and CDG in a wheel chair, from door to gate. Since the distance at CDG was much greater, I  had to transfer from the wheel chair to an outdoor bus, an indoor electric cart, and finally to another wheel chair that took me to the direct to the door of  flight #AF0084, Air France would be my transport home.

The wheel chair attendant unloaded my heavy tote and my backpack and placed them in the entrance of the B77AR as I got myself out of the chair and collected my crutches. The Purser that had my section astutely assessed the situation and immediately came to my rescue. He carried my backpack and heavy tote to my seat, as I crutched down the isle. My state of mind was bad and I did not wish to speak to anyone, all I wished for was to buckle into 3A and shut my eyes. I was mentally, emotionally, and physically drained. I was angry and distraught. I carried a big weight inside and it was eating me up, all relating to my experiences in Barcelona.

3A just happened to be the first row and seat in the Business Class section that I was in, a bulkhead wall was in front of me. The bulkhead contained a thoroughfare to what seemed to be a private compartment.  I saw a big screen on the wall and what looked to be a bed. When the Purser came by I inquired as what this special space was. “First Class” he said, “this plane has four seats, and there are only two individuals flying in First today.” I was surprised, as I have not been on a plane with a true First Class section in a very long time. The start of this conversation, was the start of my restoration and faith in mankind.   

Our discussion continued and the Purser proceeded to bring Les Carte Des Vins to share the beautiful selections that were available in First. Amour de Deutz – 2007 was the bubble pour and he asked me if I would like to try a glass. Oui, I said and proceeded to tell him that Deutz was one of my most favorite champagne houses and, that I had the pleasure to visit and tour La Maison Deutz a few years prior in celebration of a big birthday.

This Blanc de Blanc, made exclusively from the Grand Cru Chardonnay grape varietal was off the charts! Les Carte Des Vins descriptor “blossoming into the most refreshing of lemony symphonies” hardly did justice to what I was experiencing in my mouth.

The flight took off and I slept on and off throughout the entire journey. Each time I woke, my conversation with the Purser, whose name I learned was Vincent continued. Vincent was friendly, compassionate and had nice smile, he spoiled me as he continued to share this liquid gold each time I woke. The weight that I carried started to subside the more I talked with Vincent.

As the flight continued on, I became more content. Many times throughout the flight, I crutched my way to the bathroom, which was behind me next to the galley. I quickly became aware of the fact that the other attendants were friendly, willing to help, and always had a smile. It seemed as though they really liked their job and moreover liked each other as well. This I found to be shocking or Choquant as they say in French.

Mid flight, Vincent gave me a beautiful treasure, the muselet otherwise known as the cage with it’s golden cap from the bottle of Amour de Deutz. The embossed golden angel holds a diamond in it’s right hand. This true jewel was created by the famous jeweler Pascal Morabito, and was designed to be transformed into a beautiful pendant, which is exactly what I did. I have worn  it ever since. This was my first diamond in the sky with an angel.

The plane landed in San Francisco, and I was one of the last to get off. The wheel chair and the attendant were waiting for me as Vincent escorted me off the plane, again carrying my heavy tote and backpack. Vincent was friendly, kind and compassionate, exemplifying more than typical customer service. I realized as I said merci et a bientot, Vincent was a gem, my second diamond in the sky who was also an angel, an angel who saved me. I have called him Saint Vincent ever since.

Sir Elton had Lucy who had diamonds in the sky. Speculation is that the song is about or was inspired by a special hallucinogenic substance –  L(Lucy), S (Sky), D(Diamonds). On March 5th, I had my own magical trip in the sky that included diamonds and angels too!

P.S. J’espere que Air France le sait que Saint Vincent est un diamant dans le ciel, merci, merci Air France!