By Ellen Andersen
We always fly to California for Thanksgiving since that’s where the majority of the family lives. This year we had a flight that didn’t leave at 6:00am, which was a nice change. It was a little before 10:00am, about an hour before our flight was to leave the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. We had arrived in plenty of time, since it’s such a small airport. Dad went to park the car while Mom and I took the luggage into the terminal. It weighed around 30 lbs, not much for a week’s worth of clothing, gifts, and miscellaneous. Still, it’s a lot for me to handle.
I lugged my suitcase up the curb and headed toward the door, 
but didn’t quite make it. There was a large black rug in front of the door. Unfortunately, I either didn’t see it, or I misgauged its height. Either way, I tripped on the threshold between the outside and the inside of the lobby. “Aaah” I cried, trying not to make a scene, but reacting to my impending fall. I let go of the suitcase and managed to catch myself so I didn’t hit my head. Only my hand and knee were scraped.
A gentleman I don’t know, and didn’t even get the chance to meet came from behind me, grabbed my suitcase, and brought it to me. I was so glad for his help. When he saw I wasn’t alone and Mom could take care of me from there, he left. “Thank you!” I said. I don’t know if he even heard me, but I hope so.
Mom later told me he was a tall man and was a bit hesitant, but decided he would help me. I don’t know what caused him to pause, and to take off without saying a word afterward. Maybe he feared I was hurt and he couldn’t help me. Maybe he didn’t want any recognition. I don’t know. I sure am glad he decided to do what he could though. It took him less than two minutes and it let me “recover” after being physically shaken and a little rattled mentally, before I checked my luggage and got on the plane.
Just a hand up and few minutes of his time made a difference for this traveler. Sometimes it doesn’t take much. When have you had the opportunity to reach out to someone who needed a hand? It may have made more of a difference than you know.
