When we boarded a connecting flight from Honk Kong to Johannesburg, we were utterly exhausted. My nerves were, to say the least, a little on edge.
The lack of sleep did not help the situation much. When we were in the air, the flight attendant gave us the usual warm facecloth and offered us fresh juice. My little girl, who was parched, happily took a glass of orange juice. No sooner had she taken a sip had she dropped the juice. I was drying her with a tissue and used my facecloth to mop up the rest of the juice.
As I was bending over trying to help my little daughter, who felt awful about dropping her juice, I heard a soft foreign voice just next to me saying “hello.” I looked up and saw a Chinese man handing me his facecloth. He looked just as tired as we were. “It’s ok I said, I think I’ve cleaned the worst up.”
As he looked back at me, I realised that he didn’t understand a word I was saying. It was when I saw a very kind, soft, gentle look in his eyes, that I accepted his facecloth. I nodded once, lowered my head and said thank you. He smiled and went back to his seat. I saw that he also had his little daughter travelling with him so I realised why he understood.
Not long after the flight attendant came to help and gave my daughter a new glass of juice. She made my little daughter feel so much better and had her smiling and laughing again. It is small gestures such as these that warm my heart. The image of those kind and gentle eyes will stay etched in my memory…
My motto is being kind when ever possible. There are times that my humanness interferes with my good intentions; that is something I think most of us will understand, but that will not stop me from trying.
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
Henry James
Wonderful experience (the kindness)! Hong Kong is fascinating. Never been to Jo’Burg!
Hong Kong was very interesting for me and you are right, quite fascinating.
*Hugs*
Beautiful post ~ I just wrote about kindness the other day as well. It takes only a moment to reach out to someone else in kindness…what a wonderful world we live in when we care. I am happy that everyone was so kind to you and to your daughter.♥
It was so sweet of them and I agree with you about kindness. Thanks so much Misifusa ❤
*Hugs*
Beautiful and I so agree. ❤
Thank you 🙂
*Hugs*
Reblogged this on minnealaskan and commented:
So sweet, so true.
Thank you 🙂
*Hugs*
What a treasure to find someone on the plane who understands and does not merely criticize your daughter’s behaviour.
That is true Colline, people forget how hard it is for children to travel such long distances. Fortunately for me my daughter is an optimist, besides also being a real sweetie, she always sees the brighter side of life.
*Hugs*
It makes travelling with her easier then. My girls are also easy to travel with – they love the adventure of it.
A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
John Ruskin
True that Pussaycat 🙂
*Hugs*
I completely agree with your motto and quote and always try to live that way! Pay it forward !
Pay if forward indeed.
*Hugs*
It is the kindness of strangers that makes travel so much nicer.
What did you see in Hong Kong? Did you visit the evening light show?
Unfortunately there was not enough time to see everything, missed the light show, but will do a post soon 🙂
*Hugs*
I look forward to your post.
🙂
A thoughtful act for a lovely mother and her beautiful daughter, who wouldn’t? ❤ Long hauls can be very tiring but it was good to get away, wasn't it? Glad all turned out well. 🙂
It was good to get away for a while, Iris. Thanks so much.
*Hugs*
Hugs to both of you. ❤
Now those are the best experiences to have Michelle. For most of us, kindness like that is strange and I am glad he was there for you. You described it so well, I can see his kind face and eyes. I know he understood. What a lovely and kind man he was and the lovely quote says it all. 😀
What a stunning night shot as well hon! I just love it! 😀 ♥ Big Hugs ♥
Thank you so much Sonel. Thanks about the shot too, I struggle with night shots, but this one came out ok 🙂
*Big Hugs*
xx
I think it came out perfectly Michelle! Love it! 😀
🙂
Profoundly true in a universal way no matter where you are in the world. Seems somewhat comforting in these troubled times.Thanks for the post! Safe travels
Thank you mg, you are so right.
*Hugs*
This story is really beautiful and touching and a welcome reminder that kindness is a simple solution to world problems.
Thanks so much Dor and you are right, kindness is the answer.
*Hugs*
What a beautiful snapshot of kindness up close. I love this post!
Thank you Genevieve 🙂
*Hugs*
How lovely , it is some small kind gestures which make a big difference in someone else’s world!
That is so true Ute, thank you.
*Hugs*
That’s such a lovely story. Kind of renews one’s faith in mankind.
It does,thanks Dr Ali.
*Hugs*
When I read your story tears welled up in my eyes. Lovely.
I am so glad it moved you, Linda.
*Hugs to you*
I would like to think I would have reacted like your Chinese Man if I were witness to such an accident. Nice that you noticed and shared with us as a reminder that it’s the small gesture that usually makes such a large impression.
Thank you so much Emilio.
*Hugs*
Pingback: Bessa Can’t Dance | litadoolan
Hey 🙂 We love this story and would like to feature it on Kindness Blog with links back to you. Would that be OK? No problems if not 🙂
It would be my pleasure to share the story, please feel free to do so 💖
Hi Hope, thank you so much 🙂 The post has just been shared http://kindnessblog.com/2014/12/19/the-chinese-man-by-hope-the-happy-hugger/
Best, Mike.
Thank you so much Mike 💞
Pingback: We’ll Ride Together, Australia | Ramisa the Authoress