The Orlando Massacre has broken the hearts of many in the LGBT community. The largest mass shooting in US history has left 50 dead, a further 53 wounded and a whole community affected.
Worldwide, tributes have poured in for the victims with multiple cities hosting vigils and remembrance services.
In the wake of it all, the strength and resilience of the LGBT community, the support from allies and the outpouring of love from strangers has been absolutely heartwarming.
Now the response a grandmother of one of the victims received when she boarded a flight will restore your faith in humanity.
When grandmother of Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, boarded her JetBlue flight, the crew went the extra mile to make her trip as comfortable as possible.
In a post shared on Facebook one of the flight attendants explained:
“Today my dear friend Melinda and I had the sad privilege of attending to his grandmother on our flight as she made her journey to Orlando to join her family during this unspeakable time.”
“Knowing she was making this hard journey alone, JetBlue employees made sure to be at her side every step of the way. Melinda stood quietly by her wheelchair while we waited until it was time to board. Kellie, the gate agent, boarded with her and helped get her settled. Melinda and I gave her a blanket, a pillow, a box of tissues and water so she could be as comfortable as possible. She was understandably distraught, but met us with kindness and gentleness. And gratitude,” writes Kelly Davis Karas.
She goes on to explain that the attendants had an idea to pass around a piece of paper to allow fellow passengers to offer their condolences to the woman.
“As we took beverage orders, we whispered a heads up about the plan as we went.”
“Halfway through, Melinda called me, “Kel, I think you should start another paper from the front. Folks are writing PARAGRAPHS.” So I did. Then we started one in the middle. Lastly, running out of time on our hour and fifteen minute flight, we handed out pieces of paper to everyone still waiting.
When we gathered them together to present them to her, we didn’t have just a sheet of paper covered in names, which is what I had envisioned. Instead, we had page after page after page after page of long messages offering condolences, peace, love and support. There were even a couple of cash donations, and more than a few tears,” she writes.
As the plane landed the passengers waited patiently to each offer the woman their condolences.
“Some just said they were sorry, some touched her hand, some hugged her, some cried with her. But every single person stopped to speak to her, and not a single person was impatient at the slower deplaning process” writes Kelly.
Read Kelly’s full account of what happened below.
