A strange noise from the bathroom during a flight leaves flight attendant Leslie feeling scared. Unbeknownst to her, the child inside will change her life forever.
Leslie felt a headache from a night of partying as she headed to her plane. When she spotted her colleague Amy, she asked for headache pills. Amy rolled her eyes, reminding Leslie that partying before a long flight was unwise. Leslie sighed, thinking that partying was a better distraction than visiting museums.
As they prepared for the passengers, Leslie took her pills, hoping to rest in the crew quarters. However, a peculiar sound caught her attention. She hesitated, then dismissed it as her imagination. But when she heard a high-pitched cry, she realized it was a child. When Amy knocked on the bathroom door without a response, she opened it and screamed. Inside was a young boy named Ben, who looked up at Leslie with tears in his eyes.
Leslie crouched down to talk to him and learned that he was lost and afraid. He was clutching a bag and sobbing about his grandmother’s medicine, saying it was his fault if she didn’t get it. Ben explained that he had gotten separated from his family at the airport and accidentally boarded the wrong plane.
Leslie felt a surge of compassion for the boy and decided to help him. She alerted the authorities upon landing in Los Angeles, but was shocked when she found out she had to stay with Ben instead of going out. Her plans to explore L.A. were put on hold as she took care of him.
As they shared pizza for dinner, Leslie received a call from her mother. Her son, Joe, was sick, and they had to see a specialist. Hearing this news crushed her, filling her with worry and guilt for not being there.
Ben approached her, offering her the bag of medicine, saying he wanted to help Joe. Overwhelmed by his kindness, Leslie resolved to get Ben to his grandmother in Seattle and then return home to Joe. She booked a ticket for Ben at her own expense and prepared to fly with him.
On the flight to Seattle, Ben expressed his fears that he might have harmed his grandmother. Leslie reassured him that his mother loved him and would be happy to see him safe. When they arrived, Ben’s family greeted him with hugs and relief. In contrast, Leslie’s reunion with Joe was heartbreaking. He looked frail, and she felt helpless. Despite her exhaustion, she vowed to do everything possible to help him.
Days passed, and Joe’s condition worsened. The doctors couldn’t find a solution, and Leslie struggled financially, as the airline wouldn’t pay for her time off to care for him. One day, a knock on the door revealed Ben and his family, who handed Leslie an envelope containing a check for over a hundred thousand dollars. They explained that they had started a crowdfunding campaign for Ben’s grandmother’s treatment, but she had passed away. They decided to give Leslie the money for Joe’s care.
Tears filled Leslie’s eyes as she expressed her gratitude, overwhelmed by their generosity. Ben promised to return one day to play with Joe. Eventually, Joe recovered and returned to his playful self, all thanks to Ben’s family. As Leslie watched him outside, she realized how far they had come.
Before returning to work, she contacted Ben’s family to offer them lifetime flight discounts as a token of her appreciation for their kindness. The story illustrates that children need attention and love, as Ben acted out in his desperation for his mother’s affection. It also shows that avoiding emotional pain through distractions isn’t a solution; finding healthier ways to cope is essential.
My daughter and Son In Law shamed me for getting a tattoo at 75. I decided to give them a lesson
Elis, 75, made the audacious and surprising decision to do something on a bright morning in New Orleans. She’d been thinking about getting a tattoo for a long now. She desired to relive her youth and greet life with renewed energy. Thus, she entered a tattoo parlor, selected a delicate pattern that represented her strength and passion for life, and had herself inked. She was so happy with the artwork on her arm that she experienced a surge of joy. She declared to the world that age was merely a number.
The Unexpected Reaction
Elis threw a modest party for her family, excited to show off her new tattoo. She hoped they would respond favorably, imagining their astonishment. Nevertheless, her daughter’s face contorted in disapproval the moment she saw the tattoo.”What in the world were you thinking, Mom?” she cried out. “Getting a tattoo at your age is not only inappropriate—it’s also embarrassing. Not some disobedient adolescent, but a respectable grandmother is what you’re meant to be. People will make fun of you because it seems stupid.Just For Illustrative UseA twinge of pain shot through Elis, but worse was to come. She laughed uncontrollably at her son-in-law, who she had always loved like her own son. He laughed till he was almost unsteady on his feet, tears rolling down his cheeks.”Mom, that’s hilarious! Between chuckles, he managed to ask, “Really, a tattoo at your age?” Elis’s heart fell. The thing that stung more than the words was the vile mockery. Their responses hurt her profoundly and made her feel ashamed.
Organizing the Ideal Refund
Elis made the decision to take her grief and use it as fuel, refusing to allow their mocking remarks and harsh comments define her. She remembered how badly her son-in-law had hurt her; a man who relied solely on her daughter and dreamed of becoming a millionaire. This was the last straw. Elis decided to impart to him a knowledge that he would never forget.Elis spent the next two days carefully organizing her retaliation. She made the decision to reveal her son-in-law’s apathy and lack of drive in a way that would shock and enlighten him. She made contact with some of her acquaintances who were talented in other fields, one of them being an outstanding actor.
The Day of Judgment
Elis carried out her plan two days later. This time, she pretended to need assistance with some home maintenance when she extended an invitation to her relatives. Reluctant to face the real world of employment, her son-in-law finally consented to attend.Elis was waiting for them when they got there, carrying a toolbox and a list of things that needed to get done. She gave her son-in-law the list, and his expression was puzzled.He was perplexed and questioned, “What’s this?”Elis remarked kindly, “I thought you could help out with these tasks.” “After all, you constantly boast about your handyness.”Just For Illustrative UseHe took a quick look at the list, which included jobs like rewiring a lamp, replacing a broken fence, and repairing the leaky faucet. Glancing around, he realized that he was incapable of doing any of these responsibilities.Elis was about to object when the actor, who was dressed like a professional contractor, showed there. After introducing himself, he started by making each task appear simple as he demonstrated how to complete it. The son-in-law, unable to keep up, watched, looking uncomfortable and ashamed as he fumbled with the tools.
An Acquired Knowledge
As the day went on, it became evident that the son-in-law was completely unable to finish even the most basic responsibilities. Elis observed with a conflicted sense of relief and sympathy. As her daughter witnessed her husband’s incapacity, she started to see how much she had been supporting his sloth.Elis’s strategy was a complete success. Her son-in-law was worn out, ashamed, and forced to face his lack of practical abilities by the end of the day. With a composed yet assertive tone, Elis drew him aside and remarked, “You laughed at me for wanting to feel young and vibrant again. But now look at you. Perhaps it’s time you matured and began accepting accountability for your actions in life.Her remarks had an impact. The incident humbled the son-in-law, who expressed regret for his actions. He committed to working hard to get better and more independent. Elis took his apology and told him that she would not put up with any more mistreatment.
Going Forward: Elis observed a shift in her son-in-law during the ensuing weeks. He started to actively work on improving himself and took on greater duties. Her daughter also began to value her mother’s fortitude and self-reliance.Elis, on the other hand, kept living her life with the same carefree attitude that inspired her to get the tattoo. She resumed going to social gatherings, took up a local fitness class, and even started dating once more. She demonstrated to herself and everyone around her that living life to the fullest was possible at any age.Elis’s audacious move had not only lifted her spirits but also resulted in a much-needed shift inside her family. She smiled every time she saw her tattoo, being reminded of the bravery and strength it took to defend herself and impart an important lesson in the process.
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