We were two travelers whose plans had been disrupted by the same storm. For a little while, our paths crossed, and one of us had something the other could use.
That was enough.
Perhaps this is one reason small acts of kindness can be so powerful. They do not require people to agree about everything or to have similar backgrounds. They begin with a shared situation and a willingness to respond.
A crowded bus station is not an ideal place to form a deep connection. People are tired, distracted, and often eager to move on. Yet even there, a few minutes of conversation can make a difference.
I had arrived believing that the evening would be remembered only for the rain and the delays. I was beginning to understand that I might remember it for another reason.
The stranger had reminded me that a difficult situation does not have to define every moment within it.
