In Such Poor Health I Couldn’t Walk Until a Fellow Passenger Virtually Carried Me to the Toilets.

Back when I was 19 years old, my regular journey to work meant taking an crowded coach. The vehicle was always full and would always be completely full by the time I got on.

One particular morning, I started experiencing incredibly sick while the vehicle swayed around each corner. I kept telling myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus arrived at where I needed to get off, and then I could make a mad dash for the nearest public restroom to be sick.

As we neared the road leading to my stop and it dawned on me I would not be to last. Suddenly, it seemed a veil came over me. The world became white and really quiet; similar to when one turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I am about to pass out”.

Fortunately, I stood toward the front on the bus, allowing me to take a few steps forward and requested that the driver to open the doors, explaining to him I was going to vomit. The driver opened the entrance and I weakly exited onto the sidewalk.

I was resolved to not get sick in view of a busy multi-lane road, so I picked myself up and endeavored to make my way to the park across the road, where I thought I’d at least be able to secretly conceal myself behind a bush to be sick. Yet I likely lost consciousness. I was aware of my physical self, yet I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, so I started inching my way to the grassy area.

“You right, love?”

Right then, someone picked me up. I felt a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “Everything alright, love?” I managed to tell the mysterious stranger that I had to to be sick. Thus, he practically helped me walk into a close-by structure and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He inquired if I needed him to wait for me but I declined.

A few minutes later, I felt better sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from outside the stall I heard his voice asking, “Are you OK, love? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to rise at that moment but I did succeed to say thank you and shortly thereafter was able to move my limbs. I returned home and then spent several days getting over what was later diagnosed as a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw that man’s face – merely his legs along with a sizable container for tools he held – but he helped me, during a time when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world has a way of making you defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency leans toward compassion, something I love about humanity.