My husband was on a flight and as they were nearing their destination, the Captain's voice came through the speaker bearing bad news -- "There has been a death on the plane."
Shock and disbelief were the first reactions of the passengers. When everyone looked back, they saw the dead man's son grieving silently. He looked so alone with his Dad's body lying at the end of the plane.
My husband, having lost both parents over the past year, overcame his initial shock and geared into action. He asked the flight attendant for an empty container and he went to each passenger and asked for any expression of love. Most people gave money. Another gentleman got up with another empty container and helped him to go around since the first container was getting full.
The outpouring of help was touching. Whatever was collected, my husband and the other gentleman went straight to deceased father and handed it to the grieving son.
My husband later told me that he was crying while going around the cabin. He could relate to the grieving son and was overwhelmed by the kindness of passengers and how strongly they came together to help out.
To this day, my husband still vividly remembers the grieving son's reaction that was etched on his face and the tears of gratitude when they went to give him the offerings. It wasn't the material value of the things, but the simple fact that strangers cared to be a source of strength for someone they didn't know.
- Posted by Ruby
- Mar 2, 2008
- Comments (14)
