As I settled down into bed after a long few days of traveling for work, I let my mind wander as I listed to the familiar hum of the fan in our bedroom on medium speed.

It wandered back to just a few hours before while sitting in the airport waiting to board my plane.

That’s when I first saw her.

A seemingly timid, tender older lady that took her seat across the waiting area.

She sat quietly. Content.

She had this look about her that kept my attention. A certain sparkle in her eyes that kept me captivated.

She smiled a sweet, knowing smile…

At the lady across from her knitting away.

At the two ladies next to her that stuck up a random conversation.

At the little boy running up and down the terminal.

Truthfully, she reminded me of my grandmothers. They had that look in their eyes once.

I secretly wished her seat would be next to mine.

I wanted to know what the sounds of her voice was like. I imagined it sweet and a bit soft-spoken.

I wanted to know her story.

While I didn’t get to sit next to her on the flight home and no words were ever exchanged, this women left quite an impact on me.

What did the others waiting for our flight think about me? Did anyone secretly hope they got to sit next to me? Did I have a sparkle in my eyes?

I learned something from this stranger.

I learned the importance of smiling with your eyes because you never know who will be watching from across the terminal.