It was a lifetime ago

Or maybe just another chapter

Or two

A single mom by definition

But not according

To the ring on my finger

Flying ‘cross country

To see my parents

Yes, at least two chapters

With four kids in tow

The stares down the aisle

Penetrable

Those poor souls

Especially those

Winning the unlucky

Seat lottery

In front

behind

To the side

The emergency exit

Looking tempting

I tried in vain to 

Settle in

But the littlest was fussing

And the 

Next

Was fussier

And then he offered

An angel in disguise

Or maybe not

So disguised

Not old enough

To be my father

A big brother for sure

But nonetheless 

An angel in a sea

Of glaring stares

And he walked with her

The littlest

Up and down the aisle

She settled in

Across the states

Across the country

For what felt like 

The entire flight 

For hours and hours

He handed her off to me

Just before landing

She settled back

Into our familial 

And familiar 

Chaos 

Back to her normal

And mine

I guess it was

A few chapters ago

When America was innocent

My parents meeting

Me at the gate 

I fumbled with the

Umbrella stroller

And one in a backpack

Not the only one relieved

to touch ground

Eager to say thank you

One more time 

And goodbye

He was gone

Vanished into the crowd

Into thin air

My parents too so grateful 

For the help their youngest 

Received with her youngest

A missed opportunity

To express deep 

Gratitude

For a moment 

Or many

Filled with deep

Grace

Convinced

I was touched by an angel

The experience

Has always made me wonder

Good Samaritan?

Angel?

What is the real difference?

Now more than ever

Our Communities

Need

Angels in disguise

So let us be those 

For another

Today

Tomorrow

Everywhere

Anywhere

Maybe even on a plane.