In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.
During my my late teens, my regular journey to work meant taking an express bus. It remained jammed and would always be completely full once I stepped aboard.
One particular morning, I started experiencing incredibly sick when the coach swayed around each corner. I continuously reassured myself to persevere another few kilometres until the bus reached my stop, at which point I could rush hurriedly to the closest washroom to throw up.
As we neared the street towards the destination as I realised I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it was like a fog descended upon me. The world became blank and silent; like someone had muted everything. My mind raced, “I will lose consciousness”.
Fortunately, I stood close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I managed several steps toward the driver and told the operator to pull over, explaining to him I was going to vomit. He promptly opened the entrance and I weakly exited out onto the street.
My intention was to not get sick in view 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, thinking I could I could at least find some privacy behind a bush to vomit. But then I must have fainted. I was aware of my body but I was unable to walk or see properly, leading me to start inching my way to the grassy area.
“You right, love?”
In that instant, I got scooped up. I sensed someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this kind passerby that I had to to be sick. Thus, he practically carried me over to a nearby building and put me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.
A few minutes later, I felt better sufficiently to sit down and from outside the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up just then but I did succeed to express my gratitude and following a brief period regained the function of my feet. I made my way home passing several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a nasty tummy bug.
I never saw that man’s face – only his legs along with a sizable steelwork tools container he was carrying – but he helped me, at a moment I was in my weakest state.
Often this world has a way of making you guarded, hostile, and combative. His act was the type of kindness that reverses that hardening of the heart. He was proof that our default setting leans toward compassion, a quality I adore about my fellow humans.
