The Flight I’ll Never Forget: Meeting Todd at 30,000 Feet
I met my new friend Todd today.
He’s 46 years old, but with the excitement and innocence of a 6-year-old. He was flying for the first time—heading to Florida to visit his brother and see some special doctors. When they carried him onto the plane, I could see the nervousness in his face. Right away, he declared, loud and clear:
“I’ll probably throw up!”
The man originally seated between us stood up and moved elsewhere—understandably startled. But I stayed. I introduced myself and said I’d help him through the flight.
And what a flight it was.
From the moment the wheels left the ground, Todd was in awe.
“OH WOW!! OH WOW!!” he kept repeating, eyes wide as we rose into the clouds.
Every little moment was magic to him.
When the flight attendant offered him a Coke and told him it was free, he lit up with pure joy.
“I can’t wait to tell my friends!” he beamed.
People around us smiled as they watched him take it all in—genuinely amazed to be inside something he’d only ever seen on TV.
We sat together the entire way. I helped him through takeoff and landing, answered his questions, reassured him during turbulence, and watched him soak in every second with childlike wonder.
Because I had the window seat and Todd needed help disembarking, we were the last to leave the plane. Just as I was gathering my things, he looked at me with the biggest grin and said:
“MS. SUE… I’LL NEVER FORGET YOU FOR HELPING ME! I’LL THINK ABOUT YOU THE REST OF MY LIFE AND TELL MY FRIENDS HOW NICE YOU ARE!”
I couldn’t help but tear up.
Today reminded me: Kindness costs nothing, but its impact can last forever.
Be kind. Be present. You never know when a simple act will become someone’s favorite memory.
🛫💛
