On 3 January 2001, I escorted two boys-5 years old, and a girl who was maybe 16? They arrived in EWR from Ethiopia at 7am and I was escorting them to Spokane Washington by Continental airlines. They were going to have new life in Spokane. They had tickets but I was using my ID90. It was extremely hard to get on as it was one of their smaller airplanes and the flights were already full, and their employees got on before me. One flight left, and next flight left..
The boys had to go to the bathroom and I took them to the lady’s bathroom. I had to go too, so told the boys not to move, but I found them running toward the entrance of the airport laughing looking back at me. My heart dropped. I imagined losing those boys at NJ and how am I going to explain this. I grabbed people with airport badge and they radioed the airport police. It didn’t take very long, they found the boys already outside in the snow. When the police brought them into the secure area to me, I think the boys understood how what they did was serious as I was in tears.
The airport was cold especially for whom just arrived from hot climate plus they were exhausted. They only had their Ethiopian attires on. I was in my uniform with winter coat. I unzipped the liner of my coat and let the boys use it as blanket and let the girl wear the coat. It was already in the afternoon. They were falling asleep on uncomfortable chairs.
Then, a pilot brought us blankets from the operations. The same pilot said he was deadheading and if I could’t get on, he would give me his seat and he would jumpseat in cockpit. We finally got on that flight. He said to me “thank you for doing this.” I bursted into tears.
I don’t even remember his name. But I will never forget his kindness.
I think about all the kindness I received over the years escorting children. I have experienced so many strangers kindness- I think all the people are kind, but It takes courage to get the kindness out to strangers. I believe— strangers kindness is how we build the world peace. Kindness is compassion.
Thank you for reading.
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.