I Was So Ill Walking Was Impossible As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

Back when I was my late teens, my morning travel meant taking an crowded coach. It remained full and would always be completely full when I stepped aboard.

During a certain commute, I began feeling terribly ill when the coach swayed around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to persevere just a little longer before the bus got to where I needed to get off, and then I could sprint quickly for the nearest public toilet to vomit.

As we neared the road leading to the stop when I realised I would not be to last. All of a sudden, it felt as if a fog descended upon me. My vision turned hazy and muffled; as if someone cut the sound. My mind raced, “I’m going to faint”.

Luckily I was toward the front of the bus, so I managed a few steps forward and asked the driver to stop, explaining to him I was going to get ill. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk.

My intention was not to vomit before multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and began attempting to make my way toward the green space across the road, where I thought I could at least discreetly hide near some foliage to be sick. But then I must have lost consciousness. I sensed my body but I couldn’t walk or see clearly, so I started inching my way to the grassy area.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and a man’s voice asked, “Are you okay, dear?” I told this kind passerby that I had to to vomit. Therefore, he almost helped me walk into a nearby building and guided me in the ladies’ toilets. He asked me if I needed him to remain with me but I refused.

After a short while, I had recovered sufficiently to sit on the restroom floor and from the other side of the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I wasn’t able to stand up at that moment but I was able to say thank you and following a brief period regained the function of my feet. I returned home and then spent the following days getting over which was a nasty tummy bug.

I did not see his features – only his legs and a large metal toolbox he had with him – but he saved me, when I was completely helpless.

Often this world has a way of making you self-protective, pushy, and rivalrous. His act was the type of kindness that undoes that emotional callousness. He demonstrated that our default setting is to be kind, something I love about my fellow humans.