Yesterday, my daughter and I took a 4-hour flight to Chicago. I hadn’t flown with her since she was just a tiny baby, and let me tell you… she was not having it 😩. She cried, she screamed, tossed her headphones, and did everything you can imagine a restless toddler might do.
The couple sitting beside us could have been annoyed, but instead, they were kind and patient the entire time.
With about 30 minutes left in the flight, I was exhausted from trying to calm her down. That’s when the woman next to me looked over and gently asked if she could hold my daughter. My little one was reaching for her, so I said yes. Within two minutes, my daughter was sound asleep in her arms.
In that moment, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. This woman could have tuned us out, put on her headphones, and minded her own business. Instead, she simply saw a tired mom with a fussy child and chose kindness.
There’s so much division in the world, but experiences like this remind me that compassion is stronger. She didn’t see color, differences, or inconvenience. She just saw another human being who needed a little help.
I’ve read stories like this before, but never imagined I’d experience it myself. Yesterday I did, and it was amazing. I’ll forever be thankful for this stranger’s simple yet powerful act of love. ❤️