In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.
During my my late teens, my regular journey to work involved an packed public transport. The vehicle was always jammed and invariably became standing room only when I stepped aboard.
One particular morning, I was feeling incredibly sick when the coach rocked around the bends. I continuously reassured myself to hold on just a little longer so the bus could got to my stop, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public toilet to throw up.
As we neared the road leading to the stop when I understood I wasn’t going to last. In an instant, it felt as if a veil came over me. Everything just went blank and silent; similar to when one muted everything. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.
Luckily I was close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I took a couple of steps forward and told the operator to stop, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped out onto the street.
I was determined to not get sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and started trying to walk toward the green space opposite the street, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide near some foliage to throw up. But then I must have fainted. I could feel my physical self, yet I couldn’t walk or see clearly, leading me to start crawling towards the park.
“Are you okay, dear?”
At that moment, I got scooped up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I needed to vomit. Therefore, he almost carried me into an adjacent building and placed me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I wanted him to remain with me but I declined.
A few minutes later, I had recovered sufficiently to sit down and from the other side of the door I heard him inquire, “Are you OK, love? Can I get you something?” I could not to stand up right away but I was able to express my gratitude and following a brief period regained the function of my feet. I got myself home and then spent the next few days recovering from which was a severe stomach virus.
I did not see that man’s face – only his legs along with a sizable container for tools he was carrying – but he saved me, when I was in my weakest state.
Many times, life has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that hardening of the heart. He was proof that our default setting is towards kindness, something I love about my fellow humans.
