When I got on a flight I didn’t expect to meet someone who’d become an integral part of my life. It all began with a crumpled note with some cash in it, and ended in a happy union that is still going strong!
I wasn’t sure what to expect on that particular flight. To me, it was just another trip back home to see my grandparents, one of many I’d taken over the years. I had my usual routine: board the plane, stow my carry-on, and settle in for a few hours of reading or catching up on emails. But this time, something amazing happened that changed my life forever!
A young man carrying his luggage at the airport | Source: Midjourney
As I boarded the plane, shoved my carry-on in the overhead bin, and settled into my aisle seat, I noticed something that immediately piqued my curiosity… a young middle-school-aged boy, maybe ten or eleven, was seated next to me. I assumed one of his parents or his mother was in the bathroom or something.
But as the plane took off, I realized he was alone. Judging by the way he fidgeted, nervously glancing around the cabin, I could tell he was clearly uncomfortable and this wasn’t something he was used to.
A nervous little boy sitting in his plane seat | Source: Midjourney
I tried to mind my own business because when I offered him a small smile, he quickly looked away. Instead, his gaze was glued to the safety card in the seat pocket in front of him. I figured he was just shy, maybe a little overwhelmed by the whole experience, so I left him alone.
I pulled out my phone to check the time. We hadn’t even taken off yet, and already I could sense the tension radiating from him. A few minutes passed before the plane began to taxi down the runway, and that’s when it happened…
A man looking at his phone while aboard a plane | Source: Midjourney
Without turning to face me, the boy reached out with a trembling hand. His eyes were wide, and without a word, he held out a crumpled piece of paper. When I took the note I noticed it had a ten-dollar bill peeking out.
The boy refused to look me in the eye and just held out the paper until I finally took it. Confused, I took the note, my eyes scanning the neat handwriting. The moment I read the note, I knew I had to contact his mother.
A man reading a note while holding a $10 bill | Source: Midjourney
The note read:
“Please, if you’re reading this, it means that my son with autism is sitting next to you. He might be nervous and might ask several times how soon the plane is going to land. I am his mom and I am waiting for him at home but will pick him up at the airport when he lands. Please be kind and patient. Here is $10 for your patience. Here is my number if he needs anything.”
A shocked man holding a note and $10 bill | Source: Midjourney
I felt a lump form in my throat as I read it. I glanced at the boy, who was now staring intently at the seat in front of him, his small hands clenched into fists. The $10 in my hand felt heavy, almost like a weight pressing down on me.
This wasn’t just about a kid on a plane. This was about a mother’s love and a boy who was navigating a world that often felt overwhelming. I knew I couldn’t just pocket the money and sit in silence.
A man deep in thought | Source: Midjourney
I frantically searched for my phone. This boy needed someone to be there for him, even if only for a few hours. So, I pulled out my phone, connected to the plane’s Wi-Fi, and texted the number on the note.
“Hi, my name’s Derek. I’m sitting next to your son on the plane. He’s doing just fine, but I wanted to let you know I’m here if he needs anything.”
The response came almost immediately:
“Thank you so much, Derek. He’s had a rough few days, but I know he’ll be okay with you there. Please let him know I’m thinking of him.”
A worried woman texting | Source: Midjourney
I turned to the boy, who was still staring straight ahead. “Hey, buddy,” I said gently. “Your mom says hi. She’s thinking of you.”
He glanced at me briefly, his expression softening just a bit, before returning his gaze to the window. It was clear he wasn’t much for conversation, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I wanted to make this flight as comfortable as possible for him.
“Do you like airplanes?” I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.
He nodded slightly, still not meeting my eyes.
A little boy staring out a plane’s window | Source: Midjourney
“Me too,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “I always think it’s cool how we get to travel so high up in the sky. It’s like being in a big metal bird.”
He didn’t respond, but I noticed the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. Encouraged, I decided to take it a step further. I signaled for the flight attendant, intending to use the $10 the boy had given me.
“Can I get a snack for my friend here?” I asked, smiling at the flight attendant.
Two flight attendants servicing passengers | Source: Pexels
The boy looked up, surprised, when I handed him a bag of pretzels and a soda. “Here you go,” I said, passing the items to him. “I figured you might be hungry.”
He hesitated for a moment before taking the snack, mumbling a quiet “thank you.” It was the first time he’d spoken since we boarded, and I took it as a small victory!
As the flight progressed, I continued to engage him, answering his questions whenever he asked how much longer the flight would be, or whether we were flying over any cool places. I kept my voice calm and reassuring, sensing that it helped ease his nerves.
A happy man talking to someone | Source: Midjourney
At one point, I decided to snap a quick selfie of us together. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, just a simple picture to send to his mom. But before taking the shot, I asked my silent companion if he’d mind.
He replied by leaning closer to me so he could fit in the frame. After taking the picture, I showed it to him, and for the first time, he smiled! I must admit, it was a small, tentative smile, but a smile nonetheless! As a then 30-year-old man with no children or much experience with them, I took that as a victory!
A little boy smiling | Source: Midjourney
“Can I send this to your mom?” I asked, feeling bolder. He nodded, so I sent it off with a quick message: “He’s doing great. We’re having a good time.”
Her reply was immediate and full of gratitude, and I could tell that she was relieved. I figured she was probably sitting on the edge of her seat, worrying the whole time. It made me realize just how hard this must have been for her to put her son on a plane alone, trusting that a stranger would take care of him.
A happy man texting during a flight | Source: Midjourney
By the time we started our descent, the boy was much more relaxed! He was even chatting a little, telling me about his favorite video games and how excited he was to see his mom. It was a complete transformation from the nervous, fidgety kid I’d met at the beginning of the flight!
As we landed and made our way to the gate, he turned to me and asked, “Will you walk with me to get my luggage? I’m supposed to meet my mom there.”
“Of course,” I replied without hesitation. “We’ll find her together!”
A little boy asking for help | Source: Midjourney
We disembarked and made our way through the crowded terminal, and as we approached the baggage claim, I spotted a woman standing anxiously near the carousel. Her eyes were scanning the crowd. The moment she saw her son, the boy who was walking next to me, her face lit up!
She rushed over, pulling him into a tight hug!
“Thank you,” she said to me, her voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea what this means to me.”
A happy woman holding her son | Source: Midjourney
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest that I hadn’t expected. “It was no problem at all,” I said. “He’s a great kid.”
To be honest, she was a gorgeous woman and she looked around my age if not younger. I didn’t know her background with her son but I already liked him and was interested in getting to know her.
She glanced at the boy, then back at me before extending her hand and saying, “I am Diane, he’s Elliot.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Diane and Elliot, I am Derek,” I replied as I shook both their hands.
A man shakes hands with a woman | Source: Midjourney
When I touched Diane’s hand, an electric current shot through me, and before I knew what I was doing I impulsively asked, “Would you like to grab a coffee sometime? As a way for you to thank me?”
It was a simple question, but it caught ME off guard! I hadn’t expected anything more than a brief encounter, but as I looked at her and her son, I felt an inexplicable connection! A sense that this wasn’t just a random meeting.
A happy man and woman talking | Source: Midjourney
To my surprise, she replied with a smile, “I’d like that.”
As we stood there waiting for Elliot’s luggage, the story behind him flying alone unraveled. Her son had been visiting his dad, her ex-husband, who at the last minute refused to fly back with him and instead put him on the plane alone.
This brave little guy had been on his own, carrying nothing but a note his mom asked him to write and keep and the $10 his father gave him before sending him off.
A man giving a boy money | Source: Midjourney
I knew in my heart that Diane wasn’t a bad mother and as I got to know her better through our long-distance relationship, this was confirmed. Fast forward two years later, and that nervous little boy on the plane is now my stepson!
His mom, my incredible wife, still laughs when she tells people how a simple note and a $10 bill led to the best thing that ever happened to both of us! And that’s how a simple flight changed my life forever!
Poor Young Mom Buys Old Washing Machine She Could Barely Afford, Then Finds Note Inside — Story of the Day
Jessica wanted to buy a $250 washing machine, but she couldn’t afford it, so she had to ask the seller for a discount. He consented right away, to her surprise, but when she got home and opened the machine, she discovered something even more surprising inside.
When Jessica and her husband Edward welcomed their first child, Kathy, they quickly understood that parenting would not be easy. The young parents were having financial difficulties then, and there was constantly a lack of funds.
Edward owned a textile business in Texas, but it was struggling. Meanwhile, Jessica worked as a nanny on weekends while Edward looked after Kathy. With a baby at home now, expenses went up, while income stayed the same or even went down some months.
Jessica bought the washing machine at a discounted price | Photo: Shutterstock
Ahh, it must be challenging for them too. Perhaps more difficult. Jessica reflected as she drove away from work one weekend, glancing at her neighbor Sandra and her children.
Sandra was already raising a third child even though her husband was just a truck driver. Although he got paid on a piecemeal basis, he wasn’t rowing millions of dollars there. Sandra had been working on a farm for several years to help support her husband financially, and it was the only way they could make ends meet.
Jessica and Edward, like their neighbors, were scraping by on whatever they could. Edward had stopped going to bars with friends to conserve money after Kathy’s arrival, and Jessica had given up on the little things she had managed to buy after saving money from the monthly budget.
Luckily, one month, things were going well financially. Edward’s business grew slowly but steadily, and Jessica managed to save some money. But just when it appeared like they would be having a less stressful month, another problem knocked at her door: the washing machine broke down.
After Kathy’s birth, Andrew and Jessica were having a hard time | Photo: Pexels
After considering her options, Jessica realized that there was no point in getting the machine repaired. The labor and motor replacement cost would be slightly less than the cost of a new machine, and there was no guarantee that the repaired equipment would last as long. After all, this was the fourth time the machine demanded a repair in the same year.
Knowing there was no other option but to look for a new machine, Jessica sat down on the computer, looking for an affordable one. An hour of searching led her to one suitable find, but it cost $250, and Jessica could only afford to pay $150.
In the end, she decided to see the merchant in person and request a discount right then and there. James Carter, 1216 East Madison Street, Brownsville, TX, said the advertisement. Jessica made a note of the owner’s address.
Upon arrival, a man about Jessica’s age opened the door. There was a calmness in his eyes, but the dark circles beneath them revealed inner stress and exhaustion. “How may I assist you?” he asked, his voice deep but mournful.
“Hi, are you James Carter? I’m Jessica Turner. I messaged you regarding the washing machine. Can I have a look at it?”
“Oh, Jessica. Yes, sure. Come in,” James said, and Jessica followed him in.
Jessica visited the seller’s house | Photo: Unsplash
The entire house was in shambles, and Jessica deduced from the disorganized layout that the man was planning to relocate, which was why he’d put the machine up for sale. As she entered the room next to the hall, she saw the white washing machine. It appeared to look brand new, precisely as she’d seen it online.
“Well, I hope you remember I said I wanted to talk about the price,” Jessica said, having viewed the machine from the exterior. “I can’t afford to pay $250! I agree the machine still looks brand new and everything, but I can’t extend my budget beyond $150. We just had a baby, and you know things are not so well financially, so I was wondering if you could please give me a discount?”
James stood there silent for a while, pondering, and then nodded his head in agreement. “Sure. I don’t mind. $150 sounds like a good deal to me,” he said absentmindedly and then turned around to lift the machine.
Jessica’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? Thank you! Thank you so much!”
James gave Jessica a slight smile and the woman could sense that his thoughts had wandered beyond the room in that short while, but she didn’t bother much about it as she was rejoicing in luck.
James agreed to sell the washing machine at $150 | Photo: Pexels
After 5 minutes, the two of them carried the huge machine to Jessica’s car without gloves, belts, or loading belts, huffing and sweating. She’d already paid James and was looking forward to getting the machine home.
As she prepared to leave, she gave her hand to say goodbye and asked him to meet her somewhere in the future, but James’ answer was a flat no. “I’m leaving this place for good, and I won’t be returning, so I don’t think we’ll be meeting again. Anyway, I hope the machine is useful to you,” he said with a quick but honest smile. Jessica simply smiled at the odd response and thanked him once more before leaving.
When she got home, the first thing she did was double-check the equipment’s functionality. However, as she opened the dryer to check the lint filter, she was shocked to find $150 in there.
It also contained a folded piece of paper in one corner with a message. “It’s a gift for your newborn baby,” it read. “I didn’t think it was fair to ask for money from someone who was already struggling financially.
“As a result, I chose to return it. Someone very close to my heart once told me that if I have the resources, I should help those who are less fortunate.” Jessica was shocked. When did he place this inside the machine?
Jessica found a note inside the washing machine | Photo: Pexels
Suddenly, it hit her. She’d asked him to help her move the machine to the yard while she fetched ropes from the car trunk to pack the machine properly, and it’s possible that’s when he put it there.
Jessica wanted to express her gratitude to him for his assistance. However, because he didn’t provide a phone number on the website and returning to the house would be a two-hour journey from her home, she decided to see him the next day.
Unfortunately, it was too late by then, as the man had already left the house, and a for sale sign was posted in the yard. Jessica left the house dejected, thanking him once more in her heart.
One year later…
Jessica and Edward were finally moving into a larger home. Kathy had been accepted to a good school, and Edward’s business was doing well.
Jessica was standing on the balcony of her former house, surveying the area where she’d spent most of her days. The place held a lot of memories for her. She switched her sights to Sandra’s residence and overheard Sandra and her husband bickering over purchasing a new washing machine.
One year later, Jessica gave the machine to Sandra | Photo: Shutterstock
Jessica took a look at the wet linen-laden rope on Sandra’s terrace. Oh, that poor woman must have done all the laundry herself. I should do something to help her.
So before leaving, she rang the doorbell at Sandra’s and left the washing machine on her doorstep with a note that read, “With love from your neighbor, Jessica.”
Jessica saw how happy Sandra was when she opened the door and spotted the machine on her porch.
So this was how James felt when he helped me. Ahh, honestly, it does feel amazing. However, I’m still curious about who encouraged him and asked him to assist people in need. Jessica pondered as their car sped away to their new destination.
What can we learn from this story?
- Never hesitate to assist someone in need if you have the means to do so. The way Jessica helped Sandra and James helped Jessica are beautiful examples of this.
- Learn to emulate the goodness of your surroundings. Jessica was inspired by James’ example and stepped in to assist Sandra.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a widower who discovered his wife’s hiding place after her death and learned a shocking truth.
This account is inspired by our reader’s story and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.
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