Flight Story #1499
Los Angeles, California → Washington, D.C.
When Juliana received the call that her 96-year-old father was getting sicker in the hospital, she knew she had to get to him as quickly as possible. The nurses told her it was important to come right away. But living on a very limited income, she didn’t have the means to buy a last-minute flight.
Growing up, Juliana looked up to her father. She called him her hero.
Raised by a single mother during the Great Depression, he worked hard to build a life through education, earning scholarships that led him to undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas. He believed in creating opportunities for his family, even when money was tight.
Some of Juliana’s happiest memories are simple ones.
Every Sunday, her father would take the family out for ice cream. It wasn’t extravagant, but it was a tradition filled with love. She also remembers the sacrifices he made so she could attend the School of American Ballet and later earn her college education. His support helped shape the person she became.
As his condition worsened after suffering a fall, Juliana couldn’t bear the thought of not being there.
“My father was always there for me,” she shared. “The idea of him passing without being able to hold his hand one last time…”
Her father wasn’t the only family member who needed her.
Her youngest brother was constantly asking when she was coming. Juliana hoped being there would not only allow her to say goodbye to their father but also help her brother understand what was happening and begin to navigate such a difficult loss together.
Thanks to our Flight Hero Johanna from laurelbox for raising funds for this flight which allowed Juliana to fly from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C.
She arrived in time to say goodbye to her father and stand by her brother.
Later, she wrote to Give A Mile with words that say more than we ever could:
"Thank you for helping me be with my father on his last day. Being able to hold his hand and tell him I loved him one more time felt like a miracle. It gave me some peace in the middle of all the sadness."
She also shared that the flight gave her the chance to sit with her brother and help him understand why “the most important person in his life would not be coming back.”
Being there didn’t take away the pain of losing her father. But it gave Juliana the chance to say goodbye, to be present with her family, and to begin healing with no regrets.
💙 You can help another family be together when it matters most. Donate miles, points or funds today. ✈️