August 1, 2021 – RANDOM ACTS OF KINDnESS - Palm Beach International Airport - Heading Home
I was in Florida for a few days, visiting family and taking a long overdue “mental health” break from life. As we have all had a turbulent year between Covid and the Presidential election madness, it is safe to say that we are all fried! I am no different. My life is busy with many demands. I am pulled in various directions daily. It was wonderful to travel alone, have personal freedom and put my toes in the sand.
During my stay I ventured out and explored, embracing all the wonderful history and culture of Jupiter Beach. I spent very important time with family, and met my niece for the first time. This was long and overdue.
When it was time to go home, I embraced my loved ones, shared hugs and kisses, and I was on my way to the airport. I was grateful that all of my arrangement flowed smoothly, and now I am sitting at the terminal waiting for my plane to board. I am watching people hurry on by, and they almost seem robotic. Everyone is in such a hurry, nobody has time to even offer eye contact, let alone a smile. These “masks of shame” have brought more isolation to our society, and it has become quite damaging in my opinion.
I am like everyone else around me, just an everyday person who is traveling. As I am heading home to see my family, others are venturing out for business, pleasure or duty. When it is my turn to board I carelessly walk to my seat. I am thinking about what a great experience I had while I was away, and how much I missed my husband, children and dog. I was excited to come home.
When I arrive at my seat (which is always the window view), I look down to see a woman sitting there in the middle seat with her head down. Of course, with our masks on, we still feel isolated from one another. I kindly ask her if I can get to my seat. I felt bad asking her to get up, and I could see it was difficult for her to move. As I make my way in, I thank her, and she barely makes eye contact with me. I felt a sense of sadness from this woman, and as we both sat back down, she began to sniffle.
Now, I am thinking to myself, “Is she sick? Is she sad? I wonder what is wrong?”
I tried to make eye contact with her a few times, but she wasn’t having it, so I felt it was best leave her alone for a bit to give her some space. I knew at some point I would be able to have a conversation as we set forward on our flight.
As people continued to board, a tall gentleman with striking blue eyes approached the last remaining seat in our row. As he was getting ready to sit down, the woman looked up at him and ask him for assistance getting her bag down. She was cold, and needed her sweater. He was very kind and said, “Of course”. As he was helping her, I was able to get a better look at this stranger sitting next to me. She was older, with short brown hair, and behind her glasses I got a good look at her eyes. Her big brown eyes wear leaking salty tears.
My heart instantly wanted to help her, and as the kind gentleman was assisting her, he asked her if she was ok. This was also my opportunity to jump in on this conversation because I wanted to help her as well. She began to tell both of us that her son was in the hospital, and she was flying up north to see him. As the tears began to flow harder, the gentleman who was now sitting on the other side of her, and I made eye contact. Even though we were all wearing our “isolating masks”, we spoke to one another without even saying a word.
We immediately went into help mode!
She told us her name was Hope, and this was her only child. Her son, was very sick, and may not make it. My heart sunk and I know his did as well. WE both began to speak to her kindly, holding her hand and giving her hugs. Here we are complete strangers, in these strange times of covid, hugging and holding hands. YES, we touched each other!
Many passengers around us, were glaring, and the flight attendants came over to check on her. They were aware of how distraught she was because she boarded the plane early due of her disability. The flight attendants of Jet Blue were awesome! They were attentive and kind to all of us. One even said, “Well, you picked the right seat, you are in good hands with these two!”
I then introduced myself to Hope, and so did this kind hearted gentleman sitting with us, his name was Don. As we were in flight, we bonded. We spoke about our lives, family, values and spirituality! There was not talk of politics, covid shots, or germs. We were just three people living in the moment, embracing life. We laughed, we cried and we prayed together for her son to heal.
Don, being the old school gentleman that he was, bought us drinks and food. He insisted as he said, “It is the right thing to do. I am old school.” He said this with a twinkle in his eye, and you could tell even with the mask there was a smile on his face.
Can you imagine, three complete strangers, all with different life paths coming together in this moment? It was powerful and meaningful. You could even say it was life changing.
Don and I sat on each side of Hope, and we felt like her guardian angels bringing her home safely so she can be with her family, and see her son. I told her, “Once you get to the hospital and you have a visual of him, and you hold his hand, that no matter what happens from there on, you are with him giving him your love. There is nothing like the love of a mother!
During our louder times on the flight, we laughed over family experiences, and the ups and downs of life. We even joked about our experience becoming a book or a movie. I said to Hope you will be famous! In between the laughter, there were tears. In those moments we comforted her the best that we could. You could say we were fierce protectors, because we just wanted Hope to feel safe with us. She could express whatever she needed to without judgment or reservation. I do believe we accomplished that!
As we were coming to the end of our journey together, we all held hands and made a little prayer circle. Don said many meaningful, and beautiful words as we prayed for peace, healing and faith. “Give strength to Hope as she continues on her journey to be with her son.”
She thanked us profusely, stating that she was beyond grateful to have us flying next to her, and she has never had strangers offer such random acts of kindness in such a way. We let her know that as of this very moment, we were not strangers anymore. We all shared our information, and asked her to please let us know if she needs any help while up north.
She was blown away, and so humbled.
When it was time for us to say our good-byes, it was difficult for me to leave her. She looked at me and said, “Thank you so much for all that you have done for me, I will remember this moment as long as I live. I will also remember your incredible blue eyes, which gave me such comfort.” I squeezed her hand for a long moment, holding back my own tears, because I did not want to cry in front of her. I told her I would go home and light my prayer candle for her and her son. She thanked me, and I was off. Before I walked forward, Don said, “I am not leaving this lady until she is in the safe hands of her family, I am going to sit with her, until they come for her.”
I thought to myself “WOW” not that is a true gentleman in every sense of the word! I told him I was happy that he was staying, and to please stay in touch. The man in the seat in front of us, gave me eye contact, as to let me know, he was listening to us on this very special flight, and his eyes showed warmth and gratitude for what we did.
As I made my way forward, I gave one last comforting look towards both of them, nodded my head and moved forward with the rest of the passengers. While I was walking, the stewardess touched my arm and thanked me for watching over Hope, and for my genuine kindness. She said, “You do not see this type of kindness anymore, you are very special.” I was humbled by her remarks, and thanked her.
Making my way forward through the airport, I replayed every moment in my head. I know, this was a “Divine Intervention”, and the three of us were meant to be together. I told Hope, that I was grateful to be sitting next to her and Don because we all gained a special gift. It is one that I will never forget.
When I got home, as promised, I lit my prayer candle and said prayers for Hope and her family.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDESS
We need more of this in our world. Far too many people have become desensitized and cold. This past year and a half of fear, isolation and stress has brought our society to a new level of “lack of compassion”, and we need to get that back! If we continue down this path our world will stay dark and cold, but the beauty of this story is that there is still time, and there is still HOPE.
One random act of kindness at a time can change our life course. Our world can become a kinder, gentler place to live. We can show our youth how we can become united instead of divided. I do believe in every sense of my soul, we can do this, we can make change happen in very powerful ways – Positive – Powerful ways!
I hope by reading this TRUE story, it gives you the reader a glimmer of hope, and some inspiration to stop, and take a good look at your surroundings. If you see someone struggling extend that helping hand, a broad smile, or even a hug. Small acts of kindness are truly the biggest thing we can offer someone who feels lost, sad or hopeless.
Let’s make change happen together one blessing at a time.
Embrace the Journey & God Bless
Lisa Zarcone
Author – Public Speaker – Child & Mental Health Advocate
MA National Ambassador for NAASCA (National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse)
Blogger
2021 Heroine Award Recipient for The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
Inspirationalist
KINDNESS MATTERS