I Like Military.

By: Sarah

I handed my boarding pass to the gate agent to board the plane and headed into the jet bridge. Right behind me was a man in a military uniform trying to board. I overheard the gate agent telling him, “Sorry sir, you’ll have to wait because your group hasn’t been called yet. We don’t do military boarding.” At that moment I had an idea. When I boarded the plane, I asked the flight attendant to let me know when the man in uniform boarded. After everyone had boarded the plane, the flight attendant found me. I gave the military man my aisle seat, took his middle seat, and said to him, “Thank you for your service.” He was very grateful and thanked me. It was my small way of GIVING to another person and to thank him for his service to our country. It felt great and made me understand that giving doesn’t always have to be monetary or something really big; it can be as little as switching seats on an airplane. I love giving!

I Like Serving God.

By: Robyn

Two days after Christmas at 7 am, I began my journey back to the DC Metro area. I was equipped with my debit cards, easy pass, and the ten dollar bill my Mom gave to me the night before to help with my gas expenses. 

Before getting on the highway, I knew I had to get gas because of course; I did the “girl thing” and ran my tank very low. :) I wasn’t sure as to which gas station was the best, so I followed my instinct. For some reason I felt myself being pulled towards the Marathon station, so without hesitation, I pulled up to the pump. 

While at the pump I had a thought that told me to “pay attention.” Just as the thought entered my head, a worn-out pick-up truck with a silver cap pulled up behind me. The gentleman got out and began counting change as he walked towards the gas station attendant. He was thin, very dirty, and his teeth were rotten. I remember thinking that he had to be on his way to get coffee because he was counting change. 

At first I was a little afraid but then calm came over me. Our eyes met and he said hello and I returned the smile and the greeting. I asked him if he was headed to work and he smiled big and said proudly, “No, I am headed to diesel mechanic school and it is my last day…I have been going all year long. Soon I will be working on those big trucks out there on the road”. Then he went on to say still with a cheerful voice, “Well hopefully I will get there…. I only have $2.50 for my gas tank.”

Right then I knew exactly what I needed to do. I quickly opened my truck door, reached into my purse and grabbed the ten dollars my Mom had given me. I motioned to him to wait so that he wouldn’t leave. I ran into the station and asked the attended to add the additional ten dollars to his total. 

After pumping the gas he said, “thank you so much, now I know I will get there”. “Have a nice day”. As he drove off, my eyes began to water with joy because it was very clear to me what had just happened. I shared the story with my Mom, my sister, a close friend, and now with you.

I Like First Class.

By: Alan

My family was coming back from a vacation in Florida. Right before the flight was going to leave my seat got upgraded to first class. There was this boy that was a boy behind me, he was about 13 years old, I thought to myself what if I give that kid behind me my first class seat. So I turned around and told him that he could have my first class seat! He got this very big smile on his face and said, “Thank you so much!” After that I got a big smile on my face and I thought to myself “I Like Giving!”

I Like Canceled Flights.

I was sitting in the gate area at the airport, typing emails and waiting to board, when something caught my attention. It was the gate agent going over and introducing himself to a waiting blind passenger, and explaining how the boarding process would work for this guy. I instantly felt like I should give him my seat.

For the next ten minutes or so I talked myself out of the idea while continuing with my work. “He’ll think I feel sorry for him; I fly so much I deserve the first class seat; I’m thirsty and want the free bottle of water when I sit down.” But when I realized what I was doing, I sat quietly with God for maybe 30 or 60 seconds to ask this question: “Are you really asking me to give up my seat for this guy.” I felt like I was supposed to do it. 

So I approached the gate agent and whispered my request. He seemed genuinely blown away and thanked me several times while he made it happen. He ended up giving me an exit row window seat, which was more than sufficient. As I walked through first class and saw this guy sitting there, and then back into coach, I was full of joy. I looked out the window as the flight took off with a big smile on my face; giving the seat away was so much better than sitting in it!