I had a long trip home from my conference last night. I was exhausted and ready to get home! When I got to the airport, I was told that because my initial flight was delayed, I was not going to be able to make my connecting flight. So I had to find another flight. The options were few. The best option wound up being a flight that was delayed 3 hours. This meant I would be getting home in the middle of the night. The guy helping me felt horrible about this, but I told him it was fine. So he made it happen.

I normally just want to relax on plane rides. Read. Sleep. Maybe do some crossword puzzles. Play on my phone. If it was up to me, I wouldn’t have to talk to the people sitting by me. I would just enjoy some quiet time.

So when I got on the plane, I sat next to a nice older lady with a neck pillow. She looked like she was ready to sleep!

Then walks up Cooper, a 13 year old boy whose family was sitting in the row behind us. He immediately held out his hand to shake hands and introduced himself. And I was immediately intrigued! Here was this 13 year old kid who was so friendly and interested in other people!

So here I was sitting in between Carmen, a 69 year old woman, and Cooper, 13 years old.

And the conversations started!

We learned a lot about each other. And talked a lot about life. Much wisdom was shared on each side of me. Young and old.

Cooper and I encouraged Carmen (69) to follow her dreams! At one point, Cooper and I said at the same time, “If you want it bad enough, you can do it!”

Carmen and I encouraged Cooper to work hard at his dreams for sports and dealing with dyslexia in school.

We all talked about church since I was coming home from my annual conference.

And we all got some rest on our flight too.

I walked away from the flight thankful for my new friends. For the chance to hear their stories and encourage one another.

We were all so different and in three different stages in life.

But yet, we were also much the same!

And that is beautiful!