Over the years, we as man have come so far in developing technologies that help us travel all over the globe. Where it used to take weeks on a train or months by ship, we now hop a plane and cross continents and oceans in mere hours.
While getting to the places has become much easier, the actual act of traveling itself these days can be very tough. For so many reasons traveling and flying has become something most people no longer enjoy. Between airport laws, bag requirements, extra fees, long lines, delays and cancellations it can get to a person pretty quickly.
The lines, the masses of people, the cramped planes, upgrade costs everywhere and so much more have put a dark cloud over traveling these days, and it’s no wonder.
We all have at least one travel nightmare story that usually involves that time a flight was canceled 6 times or luggage getting sent to Fiji instead of California. There are so many things to get right and so many more things that can go wrong while flying, that it creates a very stressful situation. This is even more true for parents who not only have to take care of themselves while traveling but also their little ones at the same time.
For Jessica Rudeen her worst nightmare was realized when her Toddler Caroline began to melt-down on a completely full plane.
Planes are cramped and crowded and once those doors are closed everyone is stuck together for as long as the flight takes. No parent wants to be the one with screaming children knowing that everyone around them has to hear it too. So when Jessica’s daughter Caroline (3 years) began to cry, causing her little brother Alexander (4 months) to also start to cry, her worst nightmare was realized.
In these moments people will show you their true colors. One man named Todd showed Jessica that there are still incredible people out there capable of great acts of kindness. Todd was sitting next to them on the plane and instead of getting angry at the noise, he offered to hold Alexander so Jessica could help Caroline calm down.
After both the children had stopped crying, Todd distracted Caroline so Jessica could feed the baby. He talked, colored and watched a movie with her and by the time they landed, Todd and Caroline were best friends and Jessica was in awe.
Jessica was so touched by what this man did for her family she took to Facebook to share this amazing story and it’s gone viral.
“My first flights with an infant and a toddler started out with a little panic when we boarded the plane. My 4-month-old was screaming his head off because, due to a series of unexpected events, I was unable to nurse him before boarding the plane.
My 3-year-old, who was excited before boarding the plane, lost her nerve and began screaming and kicking “I want to get off the plane! I don’t want to go!” I honestly thought we’d get kicked off the plane.
So with two kids losing their minds, I was desperately trying to calm the situation. This man reached for the baby and held him while I forced a seatbelt on Caroline, got her tablet and started her movie. Once she was settled and relatively calmed, he distracted her so that I could feed Alexander. Finally, while we were taxiing, the back of the plane no longer had screams.
During the flight, he colored and watched a movie with Caroline, he engaged in conversation and showed her all the things outside. By the end of the flight, he was Caroline’s best friend. I’m not sure if he caught the kiss she landed on his shoulder while they were looking out the window.
Amazingly, we had the same connection in Charlotte to Wilmington, a connection he navigates frequently for work. He helped us get off the plane and led us to the next gate with Caroline in hand. If that wasn’t enough, he changed his seat on the next flight to sit in our row to help us.
This guy, Todd, showed me kindness and compassion that I’ve never known from another person. His wife, he said, had a similar experience when their two boys were young and a stranger showed her the same kindness. I am blown away by God’s hand in this because we could have been placed next to anyone, but we were seated next to one of the nicest men I have ever met in my life.
I’d like to find him. His name is Todd. He has a son at the University of Arkansas and he lives in Lenexa, KS.
If you could help share this post so that I can find him, I’d really appreciate your help!”
A happy update is that they did reconnect and the family has a plan to meet Todd and his wife in May.
We all get cranky on planes and in airports and something is bound to go wrong but this story reminds us it’s important to have understanding for others in these situations. We’ve all been there and someone like Todd is a perfect example of the kindness and generosity of spirit that can still exist in the world. Next time you’re seated to someone on a plane who is having trouble, maybe reach out to help. It could literally make that person’s whole world in one moment.
Please SHARE this touching story with your friends and family!
Source: Positive Outlooks
