I recently traveled from Buffalo, NY to Vegas for a two week visit with my children and granddaughter who live there. It had been a year and a half since I had seen my three year old granddaughter, so I was extremely happy when she seemed to remember me and was excited to see me. Of course, the video chats we did through out the year probably helped her to recognize me, but it was a good feeling to see her enthusiasm at my presence.

Frequently during my stay, she would tell her parents, “I’ll help Grandma.” This usually meant she wanted to push me around in my wheelchair. This is a common occurrence among my younger grandchildren. But what I appreciated was her sweet sentiment and sincere desire to help me. It made me feel good and loved and special. She was being kind to me and kindness is nice.

Traveling can be difficult for someone in a wheelchair. I have learned to think ahead and plan accordingly. What arrangements need to be made? Is the place wheelchair accessible? What are the bathrooms like? And in some cases, will my wheelchair even fit through the door?! Thankfully, most places are handicapped compatible, but even then sometimes extra help is needed. And I have so often been blessed by the kindness of strangers. Many times doors will be held open for me. People will often defer to me and allow me to pass them or go ahead of them. If I am struggling to reach the paper towels in the ladies restroom, someone inevitably will come to assist me. These simple gestures of kindness bless me.

On this most recent trip I became more aware of all the kindness shown to me and realized there are a lot of nice people in this world. I was eating a dish of melting chocolate ice cream when I realized I had no napkins. This was at the Grand Canyon and we were seated quite a distance from the crowded shop where the ice cream was purchased. So when I asked the family if there were any napkins, the answer was no, and no effort was made to get some. I was startled a few minutes later to have a gentleman hand me several napkins! He overheard my plight and got them for me! How thankful I was as, just as I predicted, my ice cream spilled over the edge of the dish and landed on my lap! But because of the kindness of this stranger, my lap was now covered with napkins.

Airports and airlines are very handicapped aware and friendly. They do all they can to assist those with special needs. The airline I usually fly with has open seating, meaning there are no assigned seats on the plane. Because of this they arrange for the disabled to board first with whatever help they need. Sometimes there can be a silent jockeying among those in wheelchairs to be nearest the front so they can be the first to board. I was beginning to park my wheelchair next to a lady also in a wheelchair at the end of the line, when she motioned me to an empty space that was two or three spots ahead of her. I was amazed! Why didn’t she go there herself? Perhaps she saw my need was greater than hers. (She was in an airport wheelchair signifying she could walk some, whereas I was in my own wheelchair and cannot.) Because of her kindness, I was indeed one of the first to board.

When it came close to the time to board, I was puzzled by the arrival of a young man in the section marked for the disabled. He had no trouble walking and I couldn’t figure out what he was doing there. Someone was with him who I assumed was a friend and was helping him figure things out. So I thought it must be his first time flying and he didn’t know what to do. But after his ‘friend’ left, he got a little pushy and actually tried to head for the open gate before we were even told we could board! I began having some unkind thoughts. Boy, does he feel entitled! What’s so special about him?! Doesn’t he see all these wheelchairs?! Who does he think he is anyway?! I became even more perturbed when they actually allowed him to board first!! When they got me on the plane and I awkwardly maneuvered myself (with the help of my son) to a seat, I found myself next to that very young man. I didn’t say a word and neither did he. He was busy on his laptop. When the flight attendant came around to take orders for something to drink, she didn’t speak to him, but simply held up a menu for him to see. He was oblivious to it as he was intent on what he was doing. And then I knew. He was deaf and lived in a silent world. So I gently touched his arm to get his attention. We had several of these ‘touching’ moments during the flight and I was rewarded with a big smile from him as he left the plane. But I am ashamed of the unkind thoughts I had entertained. If I had not sat next to him, I would have never known the truth and the unkind thoughts would have remained. Kindness begins in the mind.

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always. –unknown

Kindness is defined as “being friendly, generous and considerate.” I like what the Bible tells us: “Don’t be selfish; Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” (Phil 2:4,5) This is kindness!

We need to be kind to each other, because kindness is nice.

If you would like to follow me and be notified of my future posts, please subscribe below: