It was supposed to be a quick stopover in Baltimore on the way back to New York after some relaxing time in Florida. But that plan soon changed.

A young woman and her three young children boarded the plane. She most definitely had her hands full. A flight attendant commented almost in passing about the baby’s flushed face. Innocently, the mom responded that the baby had been getting over a fever.

That was the moment that changed everything. The young woman and her children, as it turns out were heading back to New York after leaving her husband behind in Florida. He had taken ill and couldn’t fly just yet. The flight attendant informed the young family that they would have to leave the flight. They weren’t permitted to fly because the baby was potentially sick.

So, what is a young family to do? No choice but to juggle their luggage and get off the plane.

A passenger watching this story unfold offered to help her gather her things and lent a hand so she could get off the plane. While doing so, he learned her story. “How are you going to get back to Long Island?”, he asked, out of concern but without a plan. Frankly, she said, she didn’t know.

Well, that turned the last leg of a quiet plane ride home into an adventure.

The gentleman, and I use that work with the most intention, had an idea. He went back on the plane that was getting ready to depart and said to his wife, “Let’s go. We’re driving to Long Island.” This gentleman’s gentle wife didn’t even ask why, although I’m pretty sure she had an inkling.

So, they deplaned and rented a car that would fit six — three adults and three children, and of course a car seat. And off they went driving back to Long Island, new friends sharing an adventure and just some good old-fashioned caring and community.

No names, but true story and with permission to retell and I’m pretty sure I didn’t take any real liberties.

Let’s all take the lead from this random act of kindness. Kindness matters. It sure does.