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.
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