Random acts of kindness happen all around the world. And when we say all around the world, we literally mean in every corner of the world, for instance, even inside an airplane. A first class passenger decided to give up his seat for a mother and her sick baby. Kelsey Rae Zwick, was travelling with her 11-month old child Lucy, as economy passengers. These two were heading from Orlando to Philadelphia for Lucy’s medical treatment for her lung disease. With Lucy’s condition, Kelsey had to bring with them an oxygen tank along with Lucy’s other necessities like a stroller, and a diaper bag.
This is not the best setup for an economy passenger. An oxygen tank can crowd up their seats. That is why Kelsey was overwhelmed when the flight attendant came to her and told her that a man wanted to swap seats with her. Feeling all sorts of grateful, she shared the story on social media.
“You were giving up your comfortable, first class seat to us… Thank you. Not just for the seat itself but for noticing. For seeing us and realizing that maybe things are not always easy. For deciding you wanted to show a random act of kindness to US. It reminded me how much good there is in this world. I can’t wait to tell Lucy someday. In the meantime… we will pay it forward. AA 588 passenger in seat 2D, we truly feel inspired by your generosity.” She added.
Kelsey wasn’t able to thank the man properly for his generosity, that is why, at the latter part of her post, she expressed her desire to spread the post so it can hopefully reach the man who helped her.
The post is close to reaching 800,000 reactions and almost 500,000 shares. Many have also expressed their feelings about the story through the comments.
Meg Mckinley said: “Can’t help but to keep scrolling through and reading these comments. I’ve cried at EVERY. single. one. of them. My heart is so touched. Kelsey emulates kindness and positivity and will forever deserve those two qualities back from others.”
Below is Kelsey’s Facebook in it’s entirety:
“To the man in 2D. Today you were traveling from Orlando to Philly. I don’t know you, but I imagine you saw us somewhere. I was pushing a stroller, had a diaper bag on my arm and also lugging an oxygen machine for my daughter. We had smiles on our faces as we were headed to see her “friends” at CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
We pre- boarded the plane, got cozy in our window seat and made jokes to those around us about having to sit by my yelling-but-happy baby. The flight attendant came over and told me you were waiting to switch seats. You were giving up your comfortable, first class seat to us.
Not able to hold back tears, I cried my way up the aisle while my daughter Lucy laughed! She felt it in her bones too… real, pure, goodness. I smiled and thanked you as we switched but didn’t get to thank you properly.
Sooo… thank you. Not just for the seat itself but for noticing. For seeing us and realizing that maybe things are not always easy. For deciding you wanted to show a random act of kindness to US. It reminded me how much good there is in this world. I can’t wait to tell Lucy someday.
In the meantime… we will pay it forward. AA 588 passenger in seat 2D, we truly feel inspired by your generosity. Please share so we can say thanks! “ — Kelsey Zwick
Fortunately, American Airlines was able to reach out to Kelsey with a goal of connecting her to the first class passenger named Jason Kunselman. Jason is an industrial engineer who frequently travels on business trips.
According to him, he saw Kelsey and Lucy while waiting to board the same flight and it immediately came to his concern that it would be better if they sat on a more comfortable seat. Seeing them made him emotional, he said in an interview by Inside Edition. Because of this, Kelsey was able to thank him again.
After being connected with the help of American Airlines, Kelsey and Jason have been in touch through private message.
An interesting fact about the story is that when the incident happened, it was also Jason’s birthday. He expressed this to Kelsey and thanked her for giving him a birthday to remember to the point that it made him and his wife cry.
“He’s thanking me for something that I’m thanking him for! There’s always good people in the world, and that’s why I felt compelled to share.” Kelsey said to Yahoo! News.
These two were already paying it forward to each other and they had no clue. It is truly inspiring to see people do acts of kindness not only to each other, but also the one that spreads.
Watch a video of the story below via Inside Edition: