“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10
In the hit Broadway musical Come from Away, stories are told of the amazing people of Gander, Newfoundland. Through their hospitality and kindness, people from all over the world are welcomed and cared for on the morning of September 11, 2001. This show has become one of my favorite musicals. It is a great musical that highlights and helps bring healing to the powerful emotions we all experienced on that day.
After the terrorist attacks of that morning, all air traffic was grounded in the United States. All international flights were either sent back to their originating airports or redirected to a new location outside the United States. Thirty-eight large airliners were redirected to the small community of Gander, located on the far northwestern edge of Canada. The small community of just under 10,000 would now welcome 7,000 new guests.
For the next several days, the people of Gander opened their doors to care for those who had come from away. One of the people who landed in Gander that day was Beverley Bass. Beverley Bass was a pilot for American Airlines. In the Broadway musical, Beverley’s story is told alongside that of the wonderful people of Gander. Beverley first made history as the first female captain for American Airlines. She is a central character in the musical, working to bring her passengers safely home.
When the tragic events of 9/11 changed the world, the people of Gander changed the lives of the 7,000 stranded guests, including Beverly Bass. While the world was reeling from terrorist attacks, those who arrived in Gander found that love, hospitality, and hope were still present in the actions of strangers. When Come From Away arrived on Broadway, Beverly Bass made it a point to attend as many performances as possible. It reminded her of the powerful experience she had with the people who worked so hard to bless her and all who were forced to land in the small community of Gander.
In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Beverly Bass was asked why she attended so many shows and why she had developed friendships with those in the Gander and the Come From Away cast. She offered this brief explanation. “In the midst of one of the most terrifying tragedies, they showed us the other side of humanity. Friendships were made that will last a lifetime.”
How we treat others makes all the difference. For Beverly Bass, her world had been turned upside down. The hospitality of the people of Gander and the show’s joy help to remind Beverly Bass that there was more going on in the world on that day than terror. We, too, can offer hospitality and kindness to those experiencing troubles. Like the people of Gander, we can show that love and hope are far greater than any tragedy we may experience.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
