In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Restroom.

Back when I was nineteenth year, my daily commute was on an crowded coach. It remained jammed and was consistently without any seats by the time I boarded.

One particular morning, I was feeling quite nauseous while the vehicle swayed around each corner. I repeatedly told myself to hold on for a few more stops so the bus could reached my destination, at which point I could make a mad dash for the nearest public toilet to throw up.

We were coming down the street towards the stop when I realised I wasn’t going to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; as if someone turned off the audio. My mind raced, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver of the bus, allowing me to take several steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him I needed to be sick. He opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

I was resolved to avoid being sick in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and began attempting to make my way toward the green space on the other side, where I believed I’d at least be able to discreetly hide near some foliage to throw up. Yet I must have fainted. I sensed my body but I couldn’t walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start crawling towards the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I required to vomit. Thus, he practically helped me walk into a nearby building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to remain with me but I refused.

Not long after, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor when from beyond the door came him ask, “Do you need anything, love? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up just then but I was able to say thank you and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my feet. I got myself home and then spent the following days healing from what turned out to be a nasty tummy bug.

I never glimpsed the stranger’s face – merely his legs and the big metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that hardening of the heart. He was proof that humanity’s innate tendency is to be kind, something I love about humanity.