I will never forget that stranger.
“Love is a bond that transcends all boundaries, connecting hearts across time, distance, and difference.” – Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
I remember sobbing on the Tube in London at a very difficult time in my life. I had just been told by a doctor that I would probably never had children. As I stepped on the Tube a little boy was ahead of me holding his mum’s hands and I just started to cry.
Normally, on the Tube in London, people avoid all eye contact and move away when they see any potential crazy makers. As tears dripped off my chin, an older lady came and sat next to me and held my hand from Oxford Circus to Mile End. “I don’t know what you’re going through but hang on, dear, she says. There are people who will support you and love you and this too shall pass.” She squeezed my hand and then she was gone.
I will never forget that stranger who showed me kindness at my low point. She was also proved right. I did find people to support and love me, and by some miracle did manage to have a child five years later (who is now a hulking great 6 foot 5 giant who has just graduated this week!)
Can you ever remember a time when you were at your lowest ebb and someone reached out to you - showed you a speck of kindness, smiled, gave you a little squeeze of a support in a difficult situation? Or a stranger helped you push the car off the road when you’d broken down? Or an acquaintance who helped you carry the fridge up to the top of your two storey building?
That’s love in action.
Sometimes it’s not the big gestures but merely sitting with someone quietly as they cry, being a safe ‘chair’ to sit in when chaos ensues, suggesting a dog walk or cake on Sunday at 3pm, a smile and a compliment for the person behind the counter who looks a little weary.
Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt story Suzy! Two “kindness of strangers” incidents from my time living in Japan immediately leap to mind. Firstly, stopping at a convenience store to ask for directions to a hostel when driving in a strange city - the kind staff member was finishing his shift and insisted on driving there, out of his own way, for me to follow.
Secondly, losing my wallet in a department store (with a whole month’s rent in cash inside). Someone handed it into the concierge! No name left so I couldn’t thank them.
And one from my teenage life in Northern Ireland - I lost the £10 I withdrew between the cash machine and shop. My mum insisted I report it to the police, which I thought was a waste of time, but a kind lady found it and handed it in!!! She wanted to be anonymous, but the police allowed me to get flowers delivered for when she had to go in and sign a form to release the cash to me as claimant, so at least she got a thank you! 💐 there are good people everywhere in the world 🥰
Angels unaware is what I call them. It's stories that like yours that remind me that God does bend an ear to us and uses His power through others to show us He is with us. Thank you for sharing.