In the aftermath of the tragic mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando that ended in the deaths of nearly 50 people, the world has shown the victims and their loved ones an outpouring of support through heartfelt tributes, monetary donations, and compassion. On Tuesday, when Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo’s grandmother boarded a JetBlue flight to Orlando for her grandson’s funeral, she saw an overwhelming dose of humanity. JetBlue crew member Kelly Davis Karas and her co-workers did everything they could to make a difficult situation better. “Knowing she was making this hard journey alone, JetBlue employees made sure to be at her side every step of the way,” she wrote on Facebook. “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. Melina 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.”
But Karas, going above and beyond her duties, also wanted to give the grieving grandmother a physical reminder that she’s not alone. As Karas pushed the beverage cart down the aisle, she quietly informed passengers that a paper was going around so that they could offer their condolences. They soon needed more paper. “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,” she added. “Instead, we had 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.”
On a typical flight, people may rush to deplane, but here, that didn’t cross anyone’s minds. No one’s personal situations suddenly mattered. Instead, every single person stopped by her seat and personally offered their condolences. They hugged her. They cried with her. They showed her that the world is still a good place.
Check out Karas’ message below: