A Pink Zone Poster Girl, the Upside of Air Travel and Serendipity

Active, Lucky and Grateful!

My seatmate, Betty Mendelson, 98.

.

As I boarded my WestJet flight from Vancouver to Palm Springs, I paused at the start of the packed aisle, watching passengers wrestle with the overstuffed overhead bins. Amid the chaos, I spotted a delightful woman in a hot pink sweater at the end of the row—she could’ve been the face of a "Pink Zones" campaign! Desiring to tone down my nervous system- I had been in travel hustle mode seconds ago, I marvel at the tricky dance of frenzy and then patience that air travel demands these days.

Finally, I come near 6C and as fate would have it, my window seat is in this Pink woman’s row! After the usual tight aisle scramble, I settle in, and she lowers her fabulous sunglasses to her nose and says with a wry smile: “Well, I wonder who our mystery guest will be”—referring to the dreaded middle-seat occupant who will likely cramp our style. But, as luck would have it, no one fills the spot on this jam-packed flight.

What followed was a dream conversation. Over 2.5 hours, Betty shared her extraordinary life. Born May 9, 1926, she is 98 years young and radiates wisdom and humour. From the moment she started chatting with me, I felt like we were already old friends.

Betty spoke of the hardest part of living nearly a century of life: losing so many loved ones, outliving friends, siblings, and her husband, and adjusting to life at a slower pace. Like me, she does love to walk everywhere and lives in a West-side Vancouver neighbourhood close to me. Yet, she also shared the best part: “You have enough time to accept what is human—your own frailties and others’. Forgive yourself, and you’ll better tolerate others and their being very human.”

We talked about the political landscape were flying into (the US) and what she has flown through in all the decades- living through the second world as a young Jewish girl, the daughter of immigrants from Russia (what was formerly the Ukraine) in the Prairies of Canada, Winnipeg.

Betty also shared her magical love story with Jack (her husband) which began at a brief chance meeting Vancouver during the summer in the 1940s. She was from Winnipeg and he was from Seattle and so it unfolded through 125 letters during their long-distance courtship. The marriage proposal came once he made $500 at Boeing. Those letters, recently rediscovered by her daughter, have been preserved in a book! (Teaser: more on this amazing book in the proper interview post!)

Betty’s tales echoed some of my own parent’s recent immigrant heritage and some gathered blessings and challenges too ( I have Croatian- Catholic roots on both sides), and I couldn’t help but feel a deep connection. Betty is a gem, as full of zest as her photo suggests. More of her story deserves its own post and sharing from her incredible book of love letters—but for now, I’ll cherish this serendipitous flight and the wisdom she shared.

As for what I take away, this experience reaffirmed something I’ve often felt—I’m incredibly fortunate to meet the right people at the right time. It happens so often that, while I don’t expect it, I’m rarely surprised anymore, and it feels natural and easy for me to strike up conversations with strangers. And I am so rewarded for this. I’m excited to share some of these magical meetings and unexpected gifts in my next few posts. It’s not just platitudes about gratitude—it’s the stuff of Pink Zones!

My closest friends, some of whom have been soulmates since we met when I was 3 and 5 respectively often say I’ve lived several lives in one. Like everyone I’ve had some intense losses and misfortunes (I just came out of a triple Rahu period according to Amma’s Vedic astrologer). But I also feel like I have lived a very charmed life. I’m now in triple Jupiter if that means anything to you! Crossing paths with kindred spirits has become a beautiful constant in my journey even the roughest of patches. These remarkable people weave vibrant threads into the fabric of my own story, making my life feel richer and fuller with every passing year.

At about half of Betty’s 98 years, I can only imagine what lies ahead.

But if life continues at this pace, I’m certain there’s so much more extraordinary- surprising and also warmly ordinary- familiar waiting just around the corner and I’m excited to have my own window seat!

Rose Cardamom Shortbreads- some of our delicious and pink-to-boot (beetroot powder)! Christmas baking bounty yesterday. It’s a ritual with one of oldest friends Nicole —we grew up together in Ontario and live close to each other in Vancouver. So lucky.

Enjoying the sunset on Nicole’s sailboat while the wonderful Sheridan is at the helm.

Have you experienced some synchronicities in your travels?

…Or other serendipities or unexpected meetings that make you feel charmed?

Do you find baking as timeless and magical as I do? Individual raw ingredients mixed, the result coming out of the oven offers more delight than you can imagine from the flour or butter by itself.

Are you baking any treats (pink or otherwise) that bring you sweet joy ?

I’d love to hear from you.

If you’re enjoying being part of my beginning journey here— and, if you’re reading this, you are already a part of this adventure — I’d love for you to leave a comment, or share this post. And if you’re reading this in email, please always feel free to hit reply and send me a private message that way. I’d love to hear from you.

Join the PINK ZONES PODCAST CLUB!

…like a book club but easier! info and sign up here