— Sorry, thank you, it’s not necessary… Sorry for disturbing you…

— It’s okay, — he said. — I’m a doctor. A pediatrician. I have two at home. I know how it is. Flying is stressful, especially for such little babies. Come on, don’t be afraid.

I carefully handed him my son. The man held him confidently and calmly. And the baby — for the first time in a long while — stopped crying and peacefully fell asleep in his arms.

I closed my eyes and slept for almost an hour. It was the best hour of my day.

We hardly spoke after that. But when the plane began to descend, he gently handed my son back to me and said:

— You are a very strong mother. Never doubt that.

And I will remember those words for a long time.