Big Lessons From Small Teachers

On a plane from Sacramento to Dallas with a final destination of Nashville, I met Taylor. He as 12 years old headed to Charlotte. He had just finished spending the summer with his mom and was headed back for the school year. He was flying alone and was in tears. His seat happened to be next to mine. 

As he told me his story of how his parents divorced and the tribulations he went through, my heart was hurting. Looking for comfort he reached into his bag and pulled out a stuffed leopard he got in San Francisco. In front of him was a girl the same age traveling with her grandparents. She had a stuffed blue jay. She spotted Taylor and instantly put her bird on the top of her seat hoping he would respond. Taylor did not notice the bird or her gesture at first. After a few minutes Taylor put his leopard next to her bird. As both stuffed animals stared at each other, I had the perfect view of two wide smiles and bright eyes. Taylor and the girl never talked but there was some connection through their stuffed animals.

Later in the flight, Taylor asked me if there were blankets on the plane. The young girl heard him asking and stuck her arms through the seats with her blanket in hand. Taylor declined her offer graciously - he didn't want her to have to give up the blanket.

In front of me were my two small teachers. Not knowing anything about each other they connected through two stuffed animals. Not speaking a word to each other but willing to give up a blanket.

24 hours later I'm still taken back how simple communication can be. How simple giving yourself away can be. How simple life can be. How simple reaching across boundaries can be. How simple living a life where we all can coexist through true unconditional love can be.