Kindness of a stranger

that still brings me to tears

Last year, I experienced one of the most loving and profound gifts, from a complete stranger, that I’ve ever heard of. And, it happened to me. He helped me. A profound gift that is still with me.

I’d had a routine oil change, and apparently a tiny leaf got in the oil filter. My car drove fine, until it didn’t. Right in the middle of rush hour traffic, on a very busy street, I put my foot on the gas and the car died.

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I coasted to the side….as best I could. I was still blocking a busy lane of traffic. Many belligerent drivers were honking and not saying very nice things. I was so stressed, my eyes brimmed over with tears.

Suddenly, and young man, maybe in his late twenties or early thirties, stopped. He pulled his car behind mine, to shield from the rushing cars. Then, he pushed my car as far to the shoulder of the road as possible. Then, waited with me until the police arrived.

He called his wife, and told her he’d be a few minutes late.

I found out he was on his way up to Primary Children’s Hospital. His wife had been there all night, with their little girl.

They had to make the tough decision…that afternoon.

The tough decision was when to remove their little girl from the machinery keeping her alive.

He had my passenger door open, and was standing outside in the cold, motioning for cars to go around us. Many honked and were foul with him. He sighed, and quietly said, “They don’t even know what a bad day is.”

As soon as the police arrived, he said good-bye. I reached up, and put both of my hands around his and told him I’d never forget him.

And, I haven’t.

Given his circumstances, it’s stunning he even noticed my predicament. I think almost everyone else would be stunned by their own grief, and would not consider stopping to help someone else. Yet, he paused for a few moments to help another—before he had to do one of the hardest things anyone, let alone a parent, ever has to do.

I hope this past year has been kind to him. I hope his kindness has come back to him tenfold. I hope all the kindness and love this world can offer to him, buoys him up in his darkest hours.

He deserves it.

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Here is the original post I wrote the day it happened: