By: James Thornton
We landed at Burlington Airport, and at this point in my son’s life, “The Cat in the Hat” was his everything. He had the storybook, the movie, and even the t-shirt. As we entered the gift shop, he spotted a Cat in the Hat pop-up book priced at a staggering $47.95. I gave in, knowing that this might be our ticket to a smooth TSA security check, a peaceful flight, and a drama-free arrival in Chicago—though I harbored doubts about its effectiveness.
Once aboard, I felt the collective gaze of the other passengers. I could sense their polite expressions concealing thoughts like, “Oh great, a family. Please don’t let them sit next to me.” I imagined the flight attendant saying, “Feel free to stow your… child in the overhead compartment, or beneath the seat in front of you.”
We settled in two rows behind the engine, and I knew turbulence could spell trouble. My son, seated by the window, was flanked by my wife in the center, and I took the aisle seat. Enter “Cool Guy,” a man around my age sporting a concert t-shirt and ripped jeans, grooving to punk rock from the ’70s on his iPhone. He was the embodiment of my pre-dad travel self, and he plopped into the aisle seat directly across from me. I wanted to tell him, “Hey, Cool Guy, you might as well buckle up because you’re part of my family for the next 1,400 miles. It’s about to get bumpy!”
As the flight commenced, it became clear that airplanes are not designed with kids in mind—no ball pits or playgrounds here. My wife and I took turns walking our son from the front of the plane to the back to keep him occupied. Turbulence hit over Buffalo, forcing us back to our seats. As the plane shook, my son began to panic, his ears hurting from the pressure change. A meltdown ensued. This was a child who struggled with crowded spaces and sensory overload, and all we could do was hold him through this challenging moment. I glanced at Cool Guy, who was busy pouring himself a rum and Coke. I wanted to shout, “Sorry for interrupting your drink on United Flight 106, but trust me, I need this drink more than you do!”
Eventually, exhaustion took over, and my son fell asleep. A wave of relief washed over me as I sat there, blankly staring at the Sky Mall magazine in the seat pocket, hoping for a swift descent into Chicago. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Cool Guy, offering me two trial-sized Bacardi Silvers and a Diet Coke. “You need this more than I do,” he said. I mixed the rum with the Coke, and that sweet blend of Puerto Rican rum and fizzy Diet Coke was the most comforting drink I could have imagined.
We struck up a conversation. He shared that he grew up in Vermont but now lived in Los Angeles. “You’re brave to take a kid on a plane,” he noted. “I have three kids, and I wouldn’t drive them from Long Beach to Malibu.” “Does your son have autism?” he asked. “Yeah,” I replied, sharing both our struggles and victories. He didn’t offer platitudes like, “That must be hard,” or “You’re a great dad.” Instead, he simply listened, allowing me to feel human for a little while. He transformed what could have been the worst flight into a surprisingly memorable one.
When we landed in Chicago, I felt a connection with this stranger I’d never see again. I always want to say something profound in such moments, but I ended up saying, “If you’re ever in Vermont again…” He smiled and cut me off, saying, “I’ll stay in a hotel.”
As my family entered Chicago O’Hare International Airport, my son immediately found a bookstore and insisted I buy him yet another Cat in the Hat pop-up book—the same one I had just purchased two hours earlier. Thank you, Cool Guy, and may the Universe look favorably upon you.
If you want to explore more about parenting and family adventures, check out one of our other blog posts here. And for those looking into at-home insemination options, consider visiting Make a Mom, a trusted retailer for insemination kits. Lastly, for comprehensive information on home insemination and pregnancy, the CDC offers excellent resources.
In summary, sometimes a simple act of kindness from a stranger can turn a difficult experience into one that you cherish. Whether navigating the challenges of parenting or embarking on new journeys, we’re all in this together.