As we landed, she thanked me for listening and for not holding her first impression against her. She said the conversation had helped her gather the courage she needed to face whatever awaited her at the hospital. When we reached the terminal, we wished each other well and went our separate ways, two strangers who had shared an unexpected moment of humanity at 30,000 feet. The experience stayed with me long after the flight. It reminded me that even small acts of understanding—pausing, listening, offering reassurance—can turn an uncomfortable moment into one that makes someone feel just a little less alone. And sometimes, that’s exactly what a person needs.