A little act of kindness can go a long way in making someone's day or even sometimes saving their lives. To me, no single act of kindness is too little, as long as it comes from the heart and it's genuine.
I have had numerous times when strangers have done something very kind to me; that makes me feel like an angel is watching over me because at that point hope seems lost. If they hadn't come through for me that way, things could have really gotten shitty.
In today's post, I'm going to share just one of those encounters with a stranger whose little act of kindness left lasting memories in my heart.
Many years ago, before the era of POS ventures, I left my house one beautiful morning to go use the ATM machine, which was about a 45-minute drive from my house. On leaving home, I left with the only cash I had, which was only enough for going to the location of the ATM.
I didn't think of sourcing extra cash from my sister; after all, I was going to redraw cash, but on getting there, none of the ATM machines were dispensing cash. At about three banks in the area, I was not able to get cash from any of them.They all were experiencing network issues.
I opened my purse again to be certain maybe I had any money left in it to take me back home, but my purse was as empty as it could get. I took a deep breath, the kind you take when you know you are screwed and don't know your next move.
What options do I have left, turn into a beggar or trek a very long distance home? I have never begged on the road before, and I don't even know how to start.
Well, none of these options is palatable. I did what anyone in a distress situation would do: say a little prayer and tell God to send a helper my way.
I was still hanging around the banking area, thinking of what to do next, when a middle-aged man who was at the ATM to get cash as well approached me; he must have noticed I was in distress, just like a few other people at the ATM machine stand.
"Hello, there, Are you okay?""Honestly, I wish I were, but I'm far from being okay."We got talking, and I opened up about not having cash to go back to my house.
This was very hard for me to say to a stranger, but I thought it was better than begging on the road or trekking back home. Without much thought, he offered to help; he gave me one thousand naira for my transport back home. The way I felt that day, you might think that someone gave me a million naira.
The way he approached me and instantly wanted to help鈥攕ome people won't even notice me or talk with me, but he did. If not for him, getting home wouldn't have been a funny story, but I'm so happy. Just like an angel, he was sent from above to save me from a distress situation.
It's been over ten years, but I still remember my encounter with the stranger guy, and I'm truly grateful that people like him are on this earth, who are ready to help a fellow human being in distress without expecting any form of benefits in return. Inside a cab going back home, I was just happy, and I can't seem to stop praying for the stranger guy. Indeed, a little act of kindness can make someone's day.
Full stopped. Thank you very much 馃檹 馃グ, may you have a beautiful weekend.
