In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Practically Supported Me to the Toilets.

During my my late teens, my morning travel was on an express bus. It was perpetually full and was consistently standing room only once I stepped aboard.

On one specific day, I was feeling quite nauseous when the coach rocked around each corner. I kept telling myself to hold on just a little longer before the bus got to where I needed to get off, so I could then make a mad dash toward the most convenient public toilet to throw up.

The bus was approaching the street towards the stop when it dawned on me I was unable to hold on. All of a sudden, it seemed a veil came over me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; as if someone cut the sound. I thought, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood close to the driver on the bus, so I managed a couple of steps forward and requested that the driver to pull over, informing him I was going to be sick. He opened the doors and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.

My intention was to avoid being sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I picked myself up and began attempting to make my way toward the green space across the road, thinking I could I could at least secretly conceal myself behind a bush to vomit. But then I likely blacked out. I sensed my body but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I started inching my way to my intended destination.

“You right, love?”

Right then, I got scooped up. I felt someone holding me and a stranger inquired, “Are you okay, dear?” I explained to this kind passerby that I required to be sick. Thus, he practically supported my weight over to a close-by structure and guided me into the female bathroom. He asked me whether I required him to remain with me but I declined.

After a short while, I regained my composure sufficiently to sit on the toilet and from the other side of the stall I heard him ask, “Are you feeling better, dear? Can I get you something?” I wasn’t able to get up at that moment but did manage to express my gratitude and after a few more minutes regained the function of my limbs. I got myself home and spent the following days getting over what turned out to be a severe stomach virus.

I never glimpsed his features – just his lower half along with a sizable container for tools he was carrying – but he helped me, when I was completely helpless.

Often this world can make you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. What he did was the kind of action that melts away that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, something I love about my fellow humans.