I was walking into the San Francisco International airport two years ago. As I walked from the parking garage to the stairway which leads down the stairs to the terminals, there was a family of three approaching the stairwell as well. The child was a boy of about three who had run ahead of his parents far enough that he entered the stairwell first, followed by me, and then his parents. Well, after about three steps, he became unsure that he would be safe descending the whole set of stairs on his own, and without taking his eyes from the stairs he reached back and grabbed my hand to steady himself. I was too surprised to do anything but provide the kid the support he desired. After about five more steps, he looked into my eyes with a mixture of confusion and horror. The parents just laughed, so that eased the awkwardness a little.