If you’re a nervous flyer, strapping into your airplane seat can be stressful at the best of times – let alone when you're taking your little one across the world, too.
This is something one mum knew all too well when she was travelling with her daughter to visit family some 5,000 miles way.
The mysterious mum took to the Facebook page, Love What Matters, to share an unusual account of travelling with kids – a far cry from the usual tuts and glares aimed at crying babies we’re so used to.
In the anon message she explained that after her husband was deployed again, she felt isolated in a new area, so wanted to head home to visit family. Although she expressed:
“My biggest apprehension was making such a long trip. With a toddler. By myself.”
Any parents relate to that? Yup, every jet-setting mum or dad ever. Explaining that once a horrid man told her to “shut that child up before I do” on a flight, she vowed never to fly again.
“I choked back tears as I ignored his comment and continued to try to soothe my baby. It had traumatized me a bit and I vowed to never fly again after that.”
But desperate to get back a visit her family, she explained:
“I prepared well, relying on prior experience. Crayons. Books. Games. Toys. Snacks. Her favorite blankie. I spent hours trying to find flights with perfectly-timed itineraries, hoping she may be able to nap on the plane.”
Now that’s organised! Yet despite her careful planning, life always likes to throw a spanner into the works of a seemingly perfect plan…
Of course, her little one broke into hysterical tears on board, leaving the mum filled with anxiety about how the man sitting beside her would react to the shrieks and tears.
But what happened next surprised her:
“But then the man sitting next to us did something I didn't expect. He told me with a smile, 'You're doing great, mom.' He then suggested I switch seats with my daughter so that he could sit next to her. I agreed.
“Then he pulled out his iPad to show her pictures of his grandchildren. He opened a game and showed her how to play it. He talked with me about his life and asked me about mine.
“He helped occupy my daughter and soothed her when she fussed. He was so patient and loving."
The welcome distraction had made the journey speed along, and the kind stranger helped her carry her bags to meet her parents after the flight just to top off his good deed.
“I explained to my Mom with tears in my eyes what this man had done for us.
“He didn't judge me. He didn't grow irritated when the screams and crying started. He didn't say something rude to me in a moment of irritability. He gracefully sacrificed his time and energy to help a distressed mother and child. He was understanding.
“He made our flight, not just bearable, but pleasant. I often think of him all these years later. It was the kindness of a stranger that got us through that day and I will always be thankful for him."
Isn’t this just totally heart-warming?
Let's hope the passengers on the next plane we get on are just as understanding…
Read the full post here:
Has a stranger ever shown you exceptional kindness in a similar situation? Let us know on our Twitter or Facebook (@CloserOnline) page.