In Such Poor Health Walking Was Impossible When a Man Practically Supported Me to a Bathroom.

During my 19 years old, my daily commute was on an crowded coach. It remained jammed and was consistently without any seats once I got on.

On one specific day, I started experiencing terribly ill as the bus swayed around the bends. I kept telling myself to hold on another few kilometres so the bus could reached my destination, at which point I could sprint quickly to the closest public toilet to throw up.

We were coming down the road leading to the stop when I understood I would not be to make it. In an instant, it seemed a curtain fell over me. Everything just went hazy and muffled; like someone had muted everything. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front on the bus, allowing me to take several steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, informing him that I was about to be sick. The driver opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

My intention was to not get sick in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and started trying to stumble toward the green space across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to find some privacy near some foliage to vomit. However I apparently blacked out. I was aware of my physical self, yet walking was impossible or see clearly, so I began crawling towards the park.

“Are you okay, dear?”

At that moment, I was lifted up. I felt an arm around my waist and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to vomit. So he virtually supported my weight into an adjacent building and guided me into the female bathroom. He inquired if I wanted him to remain with me but I declined.

A few minutes later, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down when from beyond the stall I heard him inquire, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to stand up right away but did manage to say thank you and following a brief period was able to move my limbs. I returned home and then spent several days healing from what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never glimpsed that man’s face – just his lower half and the big metal toolbox he held – but he helped me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, a quality I adore about humanity.