One ordinary afternoon at work, I found myself restless and bored. I wasnt shirking my duties; our office computer system had crashed and we couldnt get anything done while waiting for the IT team to sort it out. Then, suddenly, my phone rang.
I picked up and heard an unfamiliar voice, trembling and frail: Hello, sweetheart, could you come over? I’ve fallen. Please, help me.
She sounded elderly and desperately in need. I chose not to hang up, hoping to find out more.
What happened? How can I help you? Whats your address? I asked gently.
At first, the lady seemed confused, probably realising shed dialled the wrong number, but out of distress, she gave me her address. Luck had it that her house was just around the corner from my office. She explained shed been cleaning, dusting a cupboard, and her stool broke. She tumbled to the floor and injured her leg quite badly.
I let my manager know I’d be gone for a bit, then set off at a brisk pace, phoning an ambulance on my way. When I arrived, the front door was ajar. I stepped inside and saw heran older woman sprawled on her elbows, her knee clearly twisted. With no medical knowledge myself, I thought a cold compress might help until the paramedics arrived.
She was in agony, groaning, tears streaming down her cheeks. My heart ached. I hugged her and soothed her until help arrived. Once they began treating her, I called her daughter, informing her which hospital her mother was being taken to. I promised Id lock up and drop the keys in the post box.
Heading back to work, I couldnt stop wondering how she was doing. The next day, I visited her in hospital and found her well enough. She thanked me warmly and invited me round for tea once she was home. Before long, she was discharged, and now I pop in for a cuppa whenever I can. Her daughter and I have become good friendstheyre some of the kindest people Ive ever met.
I often think what might have happened if Id simply hung up the phone. Id never have known. I like to believe that, should my parents ever be in trouble, someone would be there for them too. What I learnt is that a simple act of kindness can change someones life, and sometimes, our paths cross for a reason.
