A little story from my experience with Toronto Pearson Int. Airport. 

I sit here at Toronto Pearson International Airport -- DISMAYED at this point. read below.

How does the higher power work.

Tired as an old dog from a long day; Terminal 1 is alive with strangers big and small, fat and thin, Caucasian, Indian, Asian, dark people, light people and may I add,  some not very bright people. 

Anyhoodle, let me move forward.

I am here missing my family and really wanting to get home.

I speak with my wife on the phone and her concern is if I have eatin. I am stressed, tired and feet aching. Really not thinking on food. I get off the phone and think. Well, I haven't eaten all day, so perhaps I should get something. Just for energy if nothing else. So I stop by the nearest shop I see and its Subway. "Meh" I say, yet make an order.

So a 6" tuna sub it is. I take my order lazily to the first free seat available. I pull out the seat and sink gingerly onto the hard moulded plastic chair. I think to myself "This sit is more of what I need right now. I unwrap the sandwitch and feel my hands on the tosty bread and imagine. I'm sitting here eating food I don't really want. Somewhere, in this very airport, their is a traveler with perhaps a lost credit card or perhaps flying with very little cash and could use this sub much better than I. If I could find a person in such need, I would be more than happy to pass them this meal or perhaps buy them one as well. 

So I begin to eat and the feeling of guilt washes away as I focus on the chore of actually eating.

So fast farward a period of time which I can't measure as its standing still in waiting for my flight.

I head outside for some fresh air (ciggerette) then head back in and find a 3 seat bench between a Relay Kisosk and subway.

I'm sitting there, dazed, I feel if I don't sleep I will die of some unknow death that is caused from being too tired. The energy in the airport is making my tiredness deepen, almost like hearing running water when you need to pee.

A young lady walks up and takes a seat on the 3 seat bench, leaving the middle seat unoccupied of course.

My cell phone rings..... It's Timmy, (Eldest son living at home). "Ah, missing Dad" I say to him with a half chuckle. The convo goes on for a few minutes then I have to cut it short as my Black Berry battery has been playing tricks on me all day. Such as showing full then turning off just as I need to send an email. So to conserve battery I keep the call short.

Just as I get off the phone, I turn my head to a french accent that is speaking in my direction about thr weather. This is not typical of Pearson airport - strangers making small talk. It's not like we are in Newfoundland where everyone waves and smiles. Yet, being a Newfoundlander, I turn to the young lady who moments ago sat down in seat 1 of 3 and say "yes it is cold"  while I hold up my phone and nodd my head with a tutting manner and say "kids". The conversation continues about travels. "Where are you going?" "Where are you coming from" etc... typical stranger talk.

About 10 minutes into our small talk, the lady moves a little closer and says. "Do you have anything I may eat"

I look at her in temporary disbelief but compose myself before she notices the absurd look on my face. "Excuse me" I say. "Are you hungry". "Yes" she replies.... "I am traveling with very limited money and can not get lunch".

I say to myself - you poor thing I am going to help this girl!

"Please allow me to buy something", I say. What do you wish to have. At this point I'm seeing this as intervention from a greater power "come with me". I move my hand in a sweeping motion across the food court, "Please pick what you wish". Her decision is SwissChalet. We move into the lineup and her eyes well up. she ops for a small salad and a juice.

I was beaming with joy, being able to help this person.  It just felt so good.

The lady behind the counter passes the Salad and I pay. The girl turns to me and asks "Would you please sit and eat also". I am at this point already turned from the thought of food so I decline. I say, " No, I have already eaten, but you sit and enjoy". She offers me a thank you, I reply, "not to worry, no problem".

We both move from the counter as she locates a place to sit. I reach my hand onto her shoulder and say " Please enjoy and have a safe travel home" She repeats a thank you and I stroll off with a light heart.

What is magical about this ---- In an airport the size of Pearson Int, a person in need sits next to me, looking for food where just a short time before, I was siting and thinking of this very scenario. 

I do not know this ladies name, or what happened to her once I walked away. Hopefully she made it to her destination safely and is now back with family. Maybe someday she may see this FB Note and undersatnd that although she was the one in need, it was I that received the gift.

Kind Regards, thanks for reading - This is a true story that happened to me Feb 2nd 2013 - Terminal 1 (Air Canada) Toronto Pearson Int Airport.

P.S. When I landed in St. John's, picked up my luggage, went to my car..... Rear tire was flat. :) Not to worry though, I am now home safe and sound. 

Michael Agate