Just a quick reminder, in case you needed to hear it – there are some really, really wonderful and caring people out there.
When 7-year-old Landon Bjornson was flying by himself to visit his dad in Portland, Oregon, his mom was anxious, to say the least. Alexa Bjornson wasn’t sure how her son would do on the flight because traveling can be difficult for her son – Landon has autism.
Since Alexa wasn’t certain how her son would behave on the flight, she made sure that he boarded the plane with a note to give to whoever sat next to him. The note would help give some insight to Landon’s behavior.
The note explained the Landon has high-functioning autism and he might repeatedly ask, “Are we there yet?” She also included a $10 as a ‘thank you’ for keeping him company.
Alexa wrote the note in the hopes that it would help keep her son feeling safe and comfortable during the flight from Las Vegas to Portland.
“I thought, how do I make it so whoever’s sitting next to him won’t look at him as a burden but more of like, I can help this kiddo get through the day,” she told local news affiliate KATU.
And who ended up sitting next to Landon on the flight? A very kind man named Ben Pedraza.
“We were cracking jokes, and after a while, he asked me to quit making dad jokes,” Pedraza said.
Landon handed Ben the note from his mom, along with the $10, but, of course, he didn’t accept the money. He was happy to keep the young boy company during the flight and they ended up having a great time. In fact, he thought he’d snap a photo of the two of them.
At the end of the flight, Ben sent a photo of himself with Landon, along with the sweetest message of reassurance for Alexa.
“(Landon) did ask if we were there yet several times but he was a great travel buddy. We had a good time and played a few rounds of rock-paper-scissors,” he wrote. “He’s a great kid and you’re a lucky mom.”
Not only did he shock the mom by sending such a kind and compassionate message, but he also donated the $10 to The Autism Society. In honor of Landon, of course.
Alexa was beside herself when she received the message and had to share the heartwarming story on Facebook.
Today my son took his first flight to Oregon to see his dad. I sent Landon with a letter to give to whoever sat next to…
Posted by Alexa Bjornson onThursday, June 27, 2019
Once the photo was shared online, along with Ben’s note, the post immediately went viral. Since it was posted, it has been shared over 17,000 times and liked over 45,000 times. People were in awe of Ben’s compassionate attitude and actions with Landon.
“It is so GREAT to hear that there are still some GREAT people who still have a heart, & show kindness beyond belief in situations such as this one, especially with the screwed up world we live in today! Ben you’re truly an amazing person, and the kindness you showed towards Landon is something that won’t ever be forgotten,” said one commenter.
“That is sooooo nice!! So glad there are amazing people still in this crazy world,” said another.
After circulating the globe, Ben’s photo even caught the attention of the ladies out there asking if he was single.
“I’m off the market for sure, definitely, but I’m flattered,” he said.
Watch more about this amazing and heart-lifting story in the video below.
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