Running to catch the bus home but stopped because what I thought was a plastic bag from afar was actually a small lady capsized on the street. Someone else was there helping soothe her after what appeared to be a nasty fall but then again she was clenching her arm and could have easily been in the midst of a heart attack from the looks of it. I stopped to see if I could help and was soon followed by another woman, luckily a nurse who could help size up the situation. I tried to prop the woman up, see if there was anyone I could call and used a little español to figure it all out. The ambulance came quickly and the EMTs were so helpful.
The nurse ran to catch the bus because she was late for her other job. When the EMTs rolled up they thought the lady – Virginia was her name – had fallen in a skateboard accident because the other bystander dudes board was strewn about next to her. Certainly not the case. I called Virgina’s fam back to let them know what hospital she was being taken to. The other guy who had been helping jetted in another direction without exchanging a word. I assumed he would be on the bus too, but he had other plans. Instead of recapping what had happened with him I just headed home. And this all transpired in about 15 minutes – maybe less.
People are truly inherently good and loving. At any other non accident induced bus stop we strangers would have looked so different from one another without a thing in common between us other than a shared direction. In that moment we were beautiful – selfless, caring and genuine. We stopped time to help another person and worked out some epic teamwork to make sure she was taken care of. I’m so appreciative of moments that reveal the absolute truth: realize that the other person is you.
- NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 29: Commuters ride the R train from Brooklyn into Manhattan during rush hour August 29, 2011 in New York City. One day after Hurricane Irene hit New York and New England, the mass transit system, including subways and buses, began moving again in a limited capacity in time for Monday’s rush hour. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
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