Jimmy Carter shakes hand with passengers on flight

ATLANTA — It was a moment Atlanta native James Parker Sheffield will never forget: former President Jimmy Carter shaking his hand.

"What a pleasure," Sheffied said. "Thank you."

Sheffield tells Channel 2's Kimberly Richardson he was on his way to Washington, D.C., when the former president boarded the flight and shook the hand of every passenger.

"It's hard to put into words what a nice reprieve from the current political theater this moment was," Sheffield said.

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He added that it was remarkably apparent that the former president genuinely loves people.

"His enthusiasm was authentic and humble, in a way that made things feel less heavy for a moment," Sheffield said.

Sheffield was leaving home on June 8 for Transgender Lobby Day at Capitol Hill.

He tweeted the memorable moment, which has now been re-tweeted nearly 7,000 times.