SCMM, I had a similar experience sitting next to the wife of a Delta MD11 pilot making his last flight (ATL-LAX) His kids were in business and played a trick(one of many) on him. They sent a note to the cockpit that said " Hi, I am Timmy. Flying is fun! I like to look out the window at the clouds and things. Thank you for being a good pilot. PS Please don't XXXXup the landing!" When we deplaned every passenger gave him an old beat up golf ball the kids had garnered from a driving range(he was avid golfer). Quite a sight watching him try to hold/pocket/store 200 golf balls.