In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.

During my my late teens, my morning travel was on an crowded coach. It remained jammed and invariably became without any seats by the time I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I started experiencing quite nauseous while the vehicle swayed around each corner. I kept telling myself to endure for a few more stops so the bus could arrived at my stop, and then I could sprint quickly to the closest public toilet to throw up.

We were coming down the road leading to the destination as it dawned on me I wasn’t going to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. The world became blank and silent; similar to when one turned off the audio. I thought, “I’m going to faint”.

Thankfully, I was positioned toward the front of the bus, allowing me to take a few steps to ask the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him that I was about to be sick. He opened the doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

My intention was to avoid being sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I forced myself up and started trying to walk toward the green space on the other side, where I thought I’d at least be able to find some privacy near some foliage to vomit. But then I likely lost consciousness. I sensed my body but I couldn’t walk or see properly, so I started dragging myself toward the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

Right then, I was lifted up. I sensed an arm around my waist and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk into an adjacent building and placed me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I refused.

After a short while, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I was incapable to get up right away but I was able to express my gratitude and shortly thereafter recovered the use of my legs. I made my way home and spent several days recovering from what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.

I never saw that man’s face – only his legs and the big metal toolbox he was carrying – but he saved me, when I was completely helpless.

Many times, life has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His was the sort of gesture that reverses that protective shell. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a trait I cherish in other people.