Delaney Steele: Appreciating The Time

Delaney Steele shares about how a random act of kindness helped reshape a relationship.

On the second anniversary of my father’s death, I’m reflecting on a chance encounter many years ago that dramatically changed our lives. At the time, I was a young mother and ambitious professional living in New York City. I spent most of my time working into the nights, and most of my money on our nanny.

Then, my father was diagnosed with cancer. I bought the last ticket home to San Mateo and arrived at JFK Airport a frenzied mess, sprinted through the terminal and reached the gate as it was about to close. Just then, my baby had a massive blow out and it was a disastrous mess. I ran to the restroom, where I realized I hadn’t brought a change of baby clothes.

I had no choice – I threw away the old clothes and tearfully boarded the plane carrying my naked baby. As I finally got to my middle seat in the last row, the man sitting in the aisle seat moved and gave me his seat.

“You’re having a bad day. Would you like me to hold your baby?” he asked. I was thrilled to hand over my baby to this kind stranger. He continued: “My daughter lives in San Francisco but I live in Paris. I rarely see them. I feel like I’m missing my granddaughter growing up.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about what he said for the rest of the flight. When we landed, I immediately called my husband and proclaimed: “we are moving back home.” We moved across the country only six weeks later, trading clear career paths in New York to be near family. And only one week after that, my father survived a major heart attack. I was glad to be home.

We got nearly 15 more bonus years with Gramps before the cancer took over – of Little League games, tea parties, Santa Brunches and Halloween at Cal Academy. I am so grateful for those years – and the man on the plane whose act of kindness helped reshape what they looked like. With a Perspective, I’m Delaney Steele.

Delaney Steele holds various roles in retail, education and international development as well as a wife and mother. She lives in San Mateo.