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.
