People on Twitter loved reading about Mc Aree’s heartwarming encounter with an elderly couple on his flight
(Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)An Irish man has shared how he was moved to tears after an emotional encounter with an elderly couple on his flight home.
Caolan Mc Aree recalled the “heartbreaking” story in a Twitter thread, where he explained he was travelling from Malaga back to Dublin, on an almost empty plane with a couple in their 70s sitting in the row across from him.
I was on a flight home from Malaga on a mostly empty plane sitting at the very back. All the rows near me where empty, bar a couple in their late 70s sitting in the row across from me.
— Caolán Mc Aree (@Caolanmcaree) August 3, 2021
One hour into the flight he noticed how the woman seemed “agitated, shouting and trying to get out of her seat while the man was trying to calm and reassure her.”
“I was trying to mind my own business but the man caught my eye and stared at me like he needed help, so I asked him was everything OK.”
Mc Aree continued: “He shuffled across his seat and leant into my row ‘She’s got dementia’ he said, full tears in his eyes now.
“Things made more sense so I stupidly said, ‘Let me know if you need help with anything’
“After a while the woman settled and dozed off, him holding her hand.”
The men started to chat and the man appeared tearful when he explained to McAree that his wife has dementia and she has “deteriorated recently.”
In an attempt to cheer him up, Mc Aree said “we’re still on holiday” ordered two beers for them where he got to learn more about the couple.
Mc Aree added: “He told me the two of them had been going to Nerja in Spain for 30+ years, her favourite place.
“This time she was very confused for most of the trip, but he wanted to bring her one last time and said he was still glad he did.
“When the plane landed I helped them with their suitcase down the steps onto the tarmac. I put out my hand to shake it and he pulled me in and hugged me thanking me for being kind, more tears in his eyes.
“I’d been holding it in for the full flight but I lost it too and stood there crying with him.”
Mc Ardee describes “bawling behind my sunglasses” as he ran into the terminal building after he said his goodbyes to the couple and wished them luck.
“Don’t really know why I’m sharing all this but I’ve been lucky enough to never really experience dementia first hand. My heart goes out to anyone who is dealing with it now in their lives, it’s f***ing heartbreaking,” he said.
Since sharing his heartwarming story, Mc Ardee’s Twitter thread has received nearly 20,000 likes, with dozens of comments from people sending lovely messages praising the Irishman for his caring actions.
Your kindness meant everything to that gentleman. Sharing the memories of his wife in better times with you was allowing him to relax while his wife slept. Never stop caring. 💞
— Patricia (@Patrici93549674) August 3, 2021
Omg caolan, what a good soul you are. My dad had dementia, you've no idea how much you have done showing compassion to that lovely man and his wife . Good karma for you, ❤️❤️❤️
— Scozia 🇮🇹🏴 (@cathyb49) August 4, 2021
You sir are a legend 🙌 something so simple yet so powerful for the auld fella.
— Caoimhín Ó Scolláin (@skullywagg) August 3, 2021
My dad has dementia it's tough specially on my elderly mother.
Never change Caolan, the level of your compassion and willingness to help this man & wife reduced me to tears. It's just a tad overwhelming to hear of such kindness to a stranger. We sometimes forget what good we are capable of, thank you so much for sharing.
— Susan Richardson (@ZsaWise) August 3, 2021
Such a lovely story and how kind you were, takes nothing to be kind and gives you so much you are a good person and you probably helped that man more than you realise good on you
— Biddy (@Biddy35772578) August 3, 2021
He needed a friend more than anything at that time and you were there to help and support. Fair play to you. It’s so hard for families dealing with this heartbreaking illness. He did a lovely thing bringing her away one last time 💔
— Tessy Kav (@teresakavanagh1) August 4, 2021
Thanks for sharing @Caolanmcaree such a heartbreaking yet also heartwarming story, I’m sure that man was extremely grateful to have you sitting next to them when it could’ve been someone who couldn’t have cared less. Keep being you!
— Jennifer (@Jeanobenn) August 3, 2021
