05/02/2025
Many of those who commented on this Facebook story used the “It takes a village” phrase in summary of their response. REM is now launching an Initiative designed to mobilize our community to meet the demands of these difficult times. Our goal is to create pathways for families to join hands to rally around our neighbors focusing on the issues they care deeply about. If you are interested in finding out more please comment below.
"Something extraordinary happened at LAX today. (Writing this on the plane.) I was at the gate, waiting to get on my plane to Portland. Flights to two different cities were boarding on either side of the Portland flight. A toddler who looked to be 18 or so months old was having a total meltdown, running between the seats, kicking and screaming, then lying on the ground, refusing to board the plane (which was not going to Portland). His young mom, who was clearly pregnant and traveling alone with her son, became completely overwhelmed.
She couldn't pick him up because he was so upset. He kept running away from her, then lying down on the ground, kicking and screaming again.
The mother finally sat down on the floor and put her head in her hands, with her kid next to her still having a meltdown, and started crying. Then, this gorgeous thing (I'm crying just writing this) ... The women in the terminal -- there must have been six or seven of us -- not women who knew each other, approached and surrounded her and the little boy. We knelt down and formed a circle around them. I sang 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider' to the little boy.
One woman had an orange that she peeled, one woman had a little toy in her bag that she let the toddler play with, another woman gave the mom a bottle of water. Someone else helped the mom get the kid's sippy cup out of her bag and give it to him. It was so gorgeous. There was no discussion and no one knew anyone else, but we were able to calm them both down, and she got her child on the plane. Only women approached. After they went through the door, we all went back to our separate seats and didn't talk about it.
We were strangers, gathering to solve something. It occurred to me that a circle of women, with a mission, can save the world. I will never forget that moment." Author - Beth Bornstein Dunnington
