But then there was Scott.

I waited at the airport gate, indulging in some people-watching. All the passengers were waiting to catch a delayed flight to Atlanta, then on to our destinations on the day after the huge winter storm, Fern. This huge storm had swathed most of the US. Lucky was I, to be returning to New Jersey from Florida after a girls' trip with my bestie, Lauren. We had planned the trip to Sanibel Island, Florida, for months for the weekend of January 27th, and who knew it would truly be a trip to paradise exactly on the days of this storm? My sweet husband urged me on, even though he would spend hours snow-blowing the driveway, while I strolled along the beach in eighty-degree, perfect sky-blue weather.

As I sat at the gate, not wanting to return to the cold and much less the news. After all, I had just watched pelicans fish, air Sailer’s sail, people laugh and talk pleasantly to each other, enjoyed lots of girl talk with Lauren, paddle boarded in the ocean, and spent some much-needed days in the sun. I felt a little despair at the thought of returning to the everyday problems and the cold weather. But a little 4-month-old baby changed all that for me.

I observed this family of four generations navigating the gate: great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and her two boys. The beautiful young mom's first child looked to be around 2 years old, and her youngest, Scott, who I would soon learn was his name, was swaddled in a carrier on her chest and was only 4 months old. At first, what caught my attention was the baby's squirming and crying, and I thought the usual things: "This will be a long flight." "Hope I don't get seated near the crying baby." But then she unswaddled him, as he made eye contact with his great-grandmother. After that, I might as well have been one of those fish paralyzed in the mouth of those sea pelicans I had observed at the beach. I was mesmerized and tranquilized by the love in that child's face. It was like I had just read the opening page of a great novel, and I knew I would be up all night. This baby was captivating! His personality held the entire room and my heart. His great-grandmother would talk and coo at him, and he smiled from ear to ear, raising his eyebrows, tilting his wee little head to the side, laughing with his great-grandmother. He spoke no words, his language was connection – heart and spirit connection.

Soon, the gate agent called for boarding, and I took my place in my group, thinking I would never see this family again.

News stories blared on monitors about the weather, Minnesota, and power outages. Still, I thought about Scott's sweet gestures – it seemed his little personality could solve everything if only we could look into the soul of this precious thing and feel his love.

I stood in the galley behind a man and his kids, ages four and six, and they would ask their dad questions, and he would quietly answer. Questions like, "What does this tunnel do? Or what are those green and red lights for on the control panel, Dad? The father patiently explained the mechanics of the jet bridge. Of course, none of that seemed to sink in my non-mechanical mind, only his loving gestures. Then, after the children seemed satisfied with his answers, they moved over closer to him for a hug of affirmation. It was such a sweet gesture – I softly prayed, "Lord, bless this family, may these children have a wonderful relationship with their father all the days of their life!"

I took my seat on the plane. You guessed it. I was seated next to the great-grandmother and the mom, and (you are going to be a swooner), Scott. I only know his name because I asked them, and only because I myself got to talk to Scott, such a grown-up name for this little 15-pound commander of the room. He smiled at me, turned his head, and laughed. – It is hard to explain, but it was clear his personality was going to be big. He had the loving spirit of God right in his tiny little heart, and he was already captivating everyone around him. 

As I stepped off the plane, I was a different person in a way. Thankful for my wonderful, restful trip to Florida with my friend. Thankful for my husband who kept the home fires burning, grateful for my own two beautiful children, but most of all grateful for God's spirit that lives in all of us human beings, starting with Scott, the smallest person on the aircraft.

Can't we all be like Scott? Adding a wonderful presence to those around us. He just gave out joy like it was sweet rolls on Christmas morning! The funny thing is Scott didn't even know he was giving- he just gave. It was simple—a smile here, a gesture of thanks there, he embodied a God-breathed spirit.

I know life gets complicated. But I want to be like Scott – I want to intoxicate the room with love, joy, laughter, understanding – drawing others to love as well. May we be like Scott and give out love like it was candy hearts on Valentine's Day – Every Day. ❤️