We’ve just heard about an amazing and inspirational story. And as soon as we read it, we just knew that we had to share it with you! Here goes…
A man boards an airplane and takes his seat next to the window. It’s a regular flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong, the kind he’d been on many times before. A woman sits next to him and his worst nightmare? It becomes a reality…
“Hey! How are you?” The woman smiled as she sat. She lowered herself slowly, squeezing her big ol’ butt into the seat. She was HUGE. Getting comfortable, she slumped her huge arm on our shared armrest. I cringed at it, thought about getting my headphones out and reclined my seat.
She leaned in towards me and repeated her greeting. I replied impatiently. I turned away annoyed about the long hours of discomfort I was going to face with this fat woman beside me.
She poked me with her big arm. “Hello. My name’s Laura. I’m from England. And you? Where are you from? Japan?” “Malaysia,” I snapped back.
“If we’re going to be spend six or so hours sitting next to each other on this flight, we’d better at least pretend to be friends, don’t you think?” She asked.
Despite my frosty reaction, Laura continued to talk to me anyway. She spoke excitedly about herself and the trip to Hong Kong she was on to see her friends and family.
I gave her quick one word answers to her questions. But she was still nice to me. Her voice was warm and loving and caring. She was kind and thoughtful when we were served drinks and meals, ensuring that I always had room to maneuver in my seat. “I don’t want to hit you with my elephant-like size!” she joked.
She smiled. And I was surprised to find that I found it pleasant. I had begun to let my guard down.
Laura was an fascinating conversationalist. She was well read in a lot of different subjects. And she even managed to make every cabin crew who served us leave laughing at her gags and asides.
I asked Laura earnestly, “Have you ever considered losing some weight?” Then panicked. I’d be rude.
“No way! I’ve worked pretty hard to get this way… Why would I want to give it all up, huh?” She wasn’t offended.
She took a sip of her red wine. “Besides, life gives me so much happiness every day that I need a bigger body to store all of it in!
“But do you get many men chase after you?” I asked.
“You betcha! I’m happily married but still… The guys still keep proposing to me! A LOT of men like a bigger girl!”
Laura’s exciting, interesting and witty conversation and company had turned the flight into something immensely fun. I didn’t want it to end. She’d brought joy and warmth to me and everyone else on board.
When we said goodbye to each other at the arrivals lounge at the airport in Hong Kong, I watched her embracing a big group of loving adults and kids. Her family. She turned around and winked at me…
I was shocked. The realization had just set in. Laura was actually the most beautiful woman that I had ever met in my life. I felt so ashamed at my earlier behavior. What a woman.
Beauty Is Only Skin Deep. Remember that.