On a long flight, I sat beside an elderly Japanese woman who looked lost and anxious. Using Google Translate on my phone, I helped her order a meal and complete her customs form. Relief lit her face; soon we were “talking”—passing the phone back and forth.
She shared about her tiny hometown; I told her about my family. She was flying to meet her newborn grandson for the first time—her joy infectious. We laughed without words, connected through smiles.
At immigration, I guided her to her waiting family. Tears, hugs, a grateful bow—she vanished into their arms.
A week later, her grandson messaged me: “Grandma calls you her angel. Please join us for dinner.” That night, their table overflowed with food and warmth. A random seat assignment became a lasting friendship, proving kindness needs no common tongue.
