Feeling So Sick Walking Was Impossible When a Man Essentially Lifted Me to a Bathroom.
At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel involved an packed public transport. It remained crowded and invariably became standing room only when I got on.
On one specific day, I began feeling terribly ill when the coach rocked around the bends. I repeatedly told myself to hold on just a little longer until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, and then I could rush hurriedly toward the most convenient public restroom to be sick.
The bus was approaching the street towards the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to make it. In an instant, it was like a curtain fell over me. My vision turned white and really quiet; like someone had turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.
Fortunately, I stood toward the front of the bus, so I managed a couple of steps to ask the driver and told the operator to open the doors, informing him that I was about to get ill. He opened the entrance and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.
I was resolved to avoid being sick in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and started trying to stumble to the park across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to throw up. But then I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I began crawling towards my intended destination.
“Are you okay, dear?”
At that moment, I was lifted up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “Everything alright, love?” I told this unknown man that I required to vomit. So he virtually helped me walk over to an adjacent building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I wanted him to stay with me but I said no.
After a short while, I felt better to the point of sitting on the toilet when from beyond the door came him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to get up right away but I did succeed to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes recovered the use of my feet. I returned home and then spent several days healing from what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.
I never saw the stranger’s face – just his lower half and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, when I was at my most vulnerable.
Many times, life has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting is towards kindness, a trait I cherish in other people.
