“May I have your attention, please?”the voice over the loudspeaker announced. “Very soon we’ll begin boarding our flight from Sacramento to Denver. But first, folks, I’d like to introduce a special guest traveling with us today.”

At that point the gate agent introduced the youngster next to her, a darling girl wearing a tiara. We learned the girl and her family were headed for a Disney cruise, compliments of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

I’d noticed the group of family members earlier. I’d seen one of them, presumably the mother, with a “Make-A-Wish” button on her blouse. There seemed to be about eight of them traveling together, including a couple women in wheelchairs—the grandmothers maybe?

I’ve seen other Make-A-Wish families at airports over the years, and each time it’s infused my heart with an extra on-the-spot bit of tenderness. I’ve felt gratitude for the organization that works so hard to grant the wishes of critically ill children. And I’ve been struck by feelings of concern and hope for the families. Along with many others, I’ve always hoped they might, if only for a while, be able to escape the dire circumstances created by their child’s illness. Perhaps, taking the time to do this special thing together, they might be able to share some happiness for a time.

This, however, was my first experience traveling on the same plane with a Make-A-Wish family.

Immediately after the young girl’s introduction, another airline employee stepped up to take the microphone. The lanky young man turned to look at the young girl, and holding her eyes with his own, he began to sing the popular song from The Lion King.

“Hakuna Matata!
What a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata!
Ain’t no passing craze
It means no worries
For the rest of your days
It’s our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata!”

My eyes suddenly welled with tears as I surveyed that precious scene. Here was a large group of people, mostly strangers to one another. We were all presented this opportunity to slow down and step out of our own heads long enough to honor one among us.

All the passengers stood and gathered around to listen. As the song ended, everyone offered enthusiastic applause.

The special family members were the first to board the plane. It may have been my imagination, but it seemed to take a little longer than usual to get them settled. Even so, there was no sign of impatience.

Last of the family to board was the mother. Just before stepping onto the jetway, she turned to the rest of us passengers and said very sweetly, “Thank you all for being so patient with us.”

As the rest of us filed onto the plane, we passed by the family seated in the front rows. Many of us offered them our good wishes as we passed by and, in return, were met with beaming faces and a heartfelt “Thank you so much!”

There was one final request by the airline crew before takeoff. They wanted to take a photograph of the entire plane for the Make-A-Wish family. For the picture, they asked us to raise our arms high offering a thumbs-up or a heart sign made by joining both hands.

Instantly, for the second time that afternoon, I struggled to hold back the tears.

Since that trip I’ve had some time to reflect on the experience. And each time it comes to mind, I feel deep gratitude for the incredible beauty of its gift.

Just think about it! Such a diverse group of people crammed into that airplane. People with vastly different life journeys. Passengers from different parts of the world. People of different ethnicities, religions, and educational backgrounds. Folks from all age groups and socio-economic levels. Each one onboard that plane came with his/her own priorities, concerns, and desires.

Typically, in a group like that there tends to be little interaction. Even the acknowledgment of one another is often minimal.

And yet, that day we all came together on behalf of a sick little girl. Although it required very little effort on our part, the tenderness and unity created in those moments was truly extraordinary.

Sweet, treasured memory! A significant memory for the Make-A-Wish family, most definitely. And quite possibly, one for every other passenger on that flight as well.