There was only one person in the lounge at the moment, and instead of just continuing to work on her computer and ignore the sobbing girl on the other side of the room, she ran to me and gave me a hug, asked what was wrong, and strongly suggested that I eat her doughnut, saying "Sugar helps everything."
She sat down with me, and I told her what was going on while I ate the doughnut that was probably her breakfast. As far as I can remember, her words of encouragement for me about the situation were something to the effect of "Just forget about all the annoying people, they aren't worth your tears."
Posing with the locker I had for four years. Clearly this was not taken on the same day as the crying episode
I didn't know the girl beforehand. I just knew her by name and by sight because our lockers were in the same spot. I didn't really know the girl afterwards. We didn't run in the same circles at college or take similar classes. But four and a half years later, I still remember that day, when at the time I was feeling most alone and unloved, she showed me love.
And then I wonder...have I ever been that person? The stranger or even the friend who stepped in and helped someone when they needed help--have I ever done something that someone remembers years later because of the blessing it was to them? I hope so, but I doubt it.
Honestly, if I were working on my computer and a girl that I didn't know walked in the room crying...my first instinct would probably be to leave and give her some privacy. But I'm so glad that that girl at my college didn't choose to do that on the day when I was crying.
My hope and prayer is that I won't miss any opportunities that come my way to show someone love when they need it most.
What about you? Have you ever experienced kindness when you least expected it?
what an amazing story! I'm truly touched!
That is a great story. It is hard to say what one would do in that situation. I would have thought someone would want privacy, too, but now maybe if I am ever in that position I will think again. Yesterday I dropped my check card in Walmart and someone returned it to the service desk. I thought that was pretty awesome!
What a beautiful example of kindness! One time I was in Mexico on a college study trip, and one of my professors told me that my Grandma had died. I went to a computer cafe and read the emails my dad had sent me and sobbed in the middle of the internet store. One lady came over and handed me a long piece of toilet paper. She didn't say anything to me, just came over, handed it to me, gave me a sad look, and walked away. That was seriously one of the nicest things I can remember. She didn't know I spoke Spanish, but I guess kindness transcends all those barriers. It's encouraging to remember stuff like that and realize there are decent people in the world when so much of the world seems to suck.
I hope I would be like that kind girl. I might be now that I am older and more confident. But when I was younger, I was too shy to think I could say the right words to anyone. Look what a difference she made to you, in just a few moments. :)
Thank goodness for good people in the world! I loved this little story- you've inspired me to change the way I look at things! I too, want to be that girl to someone in life! xoxo
I would love to be that girl, but usually I am the one who listens when someone asks me to. But just last night some girls at school helped me out and told me it would be okay. I didn't cry, but I vented, and it was so helpful. :)
-Alexandra Anne
chandelier27.blogspot.com
I have been in that situation where it's like, "Do I give them privacy or step in?" Sometimes stepping in can truly change someone's destiny!
That is so sweet! What a great story. Sometimes even just someone asking, "Are you okay?" is enough to change your entire day.
Hi Rachel! I think we all sometimes miss opportunities to be a blessing to others, unfortunately we don't even realize it at times. We all need to make a better effort at being more sensitive towards the things that concern Him. Thanks so much for sharing, because it's something we all struggle with at times. Have a blessed rest of your day!
Michell @Prowess and Pearls
The kindness of strangers is amazing! Funny how sometimes when you go through a rough patch, the people whom you thought were you friends bail on you, and yet those you hardly know rush in to comfort. I have never understood that. My husband lost his job several moths ago. Some of our closest friends did absolutely nothing, while others we aren't so close to brought us gift certificates or groceries or cooked us a dinner, etc. Truly amazing. Tells you who your REAL friends are.
Such a great story and it really makes you think. I'd be uncomfortable in a situation like that because you never know how people are going to react - is the crying girl going to scream at you and tell you to leave her alone, or will it mean the world to her that someone cared? I guess you'll never know unless you try, right? I'm going to keep this in mind next time I see someone in need and I'm unsure what to do. :-)
What an awesome story. Sounds like she really made an impact on you. That gives inspiration to do the same to someone else! I hope you have a good day! xo
I love those reminder in life to be kind. this reminds me of one of my favorite quotes"I've learned that people will forget what you said, and forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou :)
Ooh, such a fantastic post - it's these *little* things that, as you point out, can make such a huge difference. I remember sitting IN DESPERATION, quite literal desperation, in a Starbucks before I was due in the High Court for the case...almost exactly one year ago now :( I hadn't realised it, but I must have had tears running down my face as a lady came up to me, offered me a tissue and just sat by me, for what must have been 10-15 minutes. She just sat there, didn't say a word, but her presence just somehow gave me the strength I needed to pull myself together and find the strength to walk in to the Court buildings. I honestly think if she hadn't done that, I would not have been able to have walked there that day. [She didn't say one single word to me, nor I to her, she just sat at the side of me. I stopped crying after a few minutes and when, a few minutes later I started crying again, she just put her hand on mine. It was the most beautiful thing].
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