photo by Jeanette.Cook
“Dear PoPville,
To the kind people who helped me near Turkey Thicket at 10th and Randolph on January 19th!
I’ve been wanting to write this note for quite some time, but was at a loss for words and now I am hoping it reaches you.
On January 19th it was just another day but unfortunately, I took a pretty serious fall. It happened in slow motion and before I knew it, I hit the cement head first, disoriented, and honestly a bit scared. I ended up with facial lacerations (25 stitches to be exact), two black eyes, a concussion, and a bruised ego to go along with it. It wasn’t my finest moment.
What I remember most, though, is not just the fall, but all of you.
You didn’t walk past. You didn’t hesitate to help. You came over, asked my name, and told me that everything would be okay. More than that, you stayed with me. You kept me company, looked out for me, and made sure I wasn’t alone while I waited for help to arrive. To my family and me that meant more than I can really put into words. Staying with someone in a moment like that—when they’re hurt, vulnerable, and unsure of what’s happening, takes real kindness and empathy.
You were there with me until I was transported by ambulance, and I will never forget that.
I wish I could thank you personally but I do not know your names. It’s something I’ve thought about often since then. So I’m writing this now to say what I couldn’t say then, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Because of you, what could have been an even more frightening experience was made a little easier, a little calmer, and a lot more human. You showed compassion and decency to a complete stranger, and that says so much about the kind of people you are.
I’m recovering now and have the scars to remind me of that day but am doing better.
Thank you for staying. Thank you for caring. And thank you for reminding me that there are still truly good people out there.
With heartfelt appreciation.”