Bonding With a Stranger

I bonded with a stranger today. It was at the airport in Honolulu. I was waiting for my flight to be called. I thought, I better take advantage of these spare minutes and visit the ladies room one last time. When I entered through the restroom doorway I heard someone sobbing. There sitting at one end of an orange covered couch was a slender Japanese young lady. I felt an immediate need to comfort her. I said in my kindest voice "can I help you? What is wrong"? She said in her broken English that her mother had just died and she was going to her funeral. She cupped her face in both her hands, rocking herself: her tears dropping onto her lap. I felt compelled to sit down beside her and I began to offer words I hoped would comfort her. I put my arm around her shoulders and lightly rubbed her back. I said, your mother is not dead. Her spirit is still alive. It is only her body that is no longer here. You can still talk to her and she will hear you. She loves you and she is watching over you. I related how I had recently lost my mother and how I still talk to her, and that I feel she hears me. I heard my flight number being called over the speakers in the restroom. I said a silent prayer to help her cope with the pain of her loss. I gave this dear stranger a hug and asked her if she would be alright because I had to leave. She shook her head yes and I rose to leave with tears in my eyes. Yes, I feel I really bonded with a stranger today, and she with me.