In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.

At the age of nineteenth year, my regular journey to work was on an express bus. It remained full and would always be completely full by the time I stepped aboard.

One particular morning, I was feeling incredibly sick when the coach swayed around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to persevere just a little longer before the bus reached my stop, at which point I could sprint quickly for the nearest public toilet to throw up.

As we neared the street towards the stop when I understood I was unable to hold on. Suddenly, it felt as if a veil came over me. The world became white and really quiet; like someone had turned off the audio. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver inside the vehicle, so I took a few steps to ask the driver and asked the driver to pull over, telling him that I was about to vomit. He opened the bus doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

I was determined to not get sick in view of six lanes of traffic, so I picked myself up and started trying to make my way across to the park across the road, where I believed I could at least discreetly hide behind a bush to be sick. Yet I likely fainted. I was aware of my limbs, but walking was impossible or see properly, leading me to start inching my way to the park.

“Are you okay, dear?”

In that instant, I was lifted up. I sensed someone holding me and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I told this unknown man that I had to to vomit. Thus, he practically supported my weight into a close-by structure and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired whether I required him to wait for me but I said no.

Not long after, I had recovered to the point of sitting on the restroom floor when from beyond the door came his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my legs. I got myself home and spent several days getting over what turned out to be a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I did not see his features – only his legs along with a sizable container for tools he held – but he helped me, during a time when I was in my weakest state.

Often this world has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His act was the type of kindness that melts away that protective shell. He was proof that people’s natural inclination leans toward compassion, something I love in other people.