Woman Buys Stranger $400 Plane Ticket to See Sick Mother

Laura Genovich was flying with her infant daughter, when a random act of kindness from a stranger helped her through a dark time. (Photo: Getty Images)

During one of the most stressful moments of her life, a Michigan woman says she experienced the most “incredible generosity” from a stranger and an airline.

On the day after Thanksgiving, Laura Genovich and her three-month-old baby boarded an American Airlines flight to be by the bedside of her mother in Orlando, Florida. Her mother had suffered a stroke, and with news that she might not wake up, Genovich wanted to be with her.

The flight was supposed to take off at 11:09 a.m., but a mechanical issue left the plane on the tarmac for nearly an hour. During that time, an emotional Genovich got updates about her mother’s condition from family in Florida.

Then, American Airlines canceled the flight.

Overwhelmed, Genovich broke down crying, and called her husband to talk through her disappointment. Unbeknownst to her, another passenger was listening to her call, and when Genovich got off the phone, she introduced herself.

Related: Southwest Rushes Woman Home to Son in Coma

On her blog Scary Mommy, Genovich recalled the conversation with a woman named Mary. “She said, ‘I’ve been listening to you for the last hour, and I’ve been praying for you and your family. I am not leaving your side until you are on a plane to Orlando.’”

Genovich’s husband was able to find a Southwest Airlines flight that left at 12:15 p.m., and even thought it was already 11:55 a.m., Genovich knew it was her best shot to get to Florida that day. With Mary by her side, she asked the gate agent to transfer the ticket, but was told that American Airlines couldn’t because they didn’t have a contract with the other airline.

Then Mary chimed in and asked where the Southwest gate was located. It was just a few gates away, but since it was already 12:00 p.m., the agent warned that there was no way they would let Genovich onboard.

Even so, Mary grabbed Genovich’s bag, so that she could focus on her baby, and the trio sprinted to the Southwest gate.

With kindness in her heart, Mary paid for Laura’s plane ticket so that she could be with her family. (Photo: Thinkstock)

With tears in her eyes, Genovich explained her situation to the Gayle, the Southwest gate agent. Even though the plane was fully boarded and it was technically too late, she agreed to let Genovich on board if she paid $400 for a ticket.

Out of nowhere, Mary stepped forward and said, “I will pay for her ticket.”

Surprised, Genovich assured her guardian angel that she could pay for it, but Mary would hear nothing of it. Instead, she told Genovich to consider it a Thanksgiving and Christmas gift.

Related: Oh Baby! — Couple Uses Southwest Jet to Announce Pregnancy

Moved by the stranger’s generosity, Genovich promised to pay it forward. In response, Mary told her that simply taking care of her dad and baby would be be paying it forward. Then she hugged Genovich tightly and said, “I love you, and the Lord loves you.”

Genovich boarded the plane and made it to the hospital 15 minutes before visiting hours ended. Her mother passed away on Dec. 3, 2015.

After the flight, Gayle from Southwest Airlines sent Genovich an email saying that everyone at the airline was sending their thoughts and prayers. Gayle also revealed that Mary had returned to the gate to make sure Genovich’s bags and stroller made it on the plane.

In the email, Gayle shared Mary’s contact information, and revealed that Southwest gave the kind stranger a voucher for a future flight to repay her kindness.

Genovich followed up by sending Mary a Facebook message to say thank you, and will be forever grateful to the stranger who showed immense selflessness in her time of need.

As we enjoy this holiday season, let us all remember how acts of kindness can truly transform another person’s life.

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