To the girl on the subway

This is not my usual post...it is just something I want to share.

On September 2, 2014 I received the phone call that I will never forget. I was at work in downtown Toronto and the phone call was from my father to tell me that my mother had passed away.

While her passing was expected, it was still the most painful thing to hear.

I called my boyfriend to let him know and we agreed to meet in 15 minutes at King Station to go north. I tried to keep composed as I was alone and in the busy and rigid Financial District mid-day but the tears would not yield and fell down my face as I walked and waited on the platform. I sat there, in King Station, feeling lost, alone, devastated and very embarrassed to be crying in public. I averted my gaze from the passers-by and most people looked at me the same way that they look at the homeless men outside the buildings.

And then I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was a girl, blonde hair, maybe about 27 years old. She looked me in the eyes and asked "Are you ok?" - and she meant it, the warmth of her hand and of her question were evident and genuine. I was taken aback by this stranger who literally had reached out to me. I said "I am ok, I just was told that a loved one has passed away" and forced a smile. She leaned in and said "I'm sorry. Are you alone? Do you need any help?" And when I said that my boyfriend would be along shortly to meet me, she immediately offered to stay with me until he arrived.

She did not have to do this. I could hve been crazy, dangerous, mean etc. but she saw a person who looked like they were in need and she reached out. 

I never got her name but whoever you are, I think of you as my "subway angel". That type of act of kindness was something my mother would have done. This random act of kindness brought me a reminder of how good the world can be when my world looked so dark. My loss made me feel so lost but your hand on my shoulder felt like a guide.

I hope you know, subway angel, that you made a difference that day. Maybe you were scared I was going to jump, but whatever made you do it, I will always remember your kindness.