Dear stranger,

Thank you for making me believe in the kindness of strangers.

When misfortune after misfortune had stalked me my entire week, it all came crashing down on the day I had lost my purse, and with it my phone, my Emirates ID, my passport, and my wallet.

I was stranded in a desolate place, with no water in the peak of the Middle Eastern sun. I simply sat on a curb, hopelessness exhausting me. I had no money to even call for a taxi to go back home. I attempted to keep myself cool-headed — but I could not ignore the panic in my chest suffocating me. Before I knew it, I was bawling.

I’m not someone who easily lets her guard down, and I don’t pride myself on crying in public. But at that moment, I didn’t care.

Then you appeared.

You, a tall man — possibly a grandfather — stop in his tracks and approach me. You gently and worriedly ask me what is wrong. I quickly gather myself together and I stand. I tell you my predicament. You ask me how you can help. I thank you greatly for your concern, but even I am unsure of your concern. You listen very carefully. You are silent for a while. I am trying not to cry, as I feel a wave of shame wash over me as you, this stranger, have witnessed my emotional unraveling — a side that not even my closest friends on campus have ever seen.

You then ask me to retrace my steps. My memory of the day was foggy, but I suddenly remembered that I had grabbed a taxi earlier — and we came to the conclusion that my purse could possibly be there. You immediately pull out your phone and call the Lost & Found hotline for the taxi. You hand me the phone and I explain to them the situation. It took some time, but I finally had my purse with me, with my belongings intact.

The whole time you were comforting me as we waited. And as ashamed as I felt, barely being able to look up at you.

This is not a memory I like to think of often, but shelving it away feels like I am disrespecting your efforts.

I want to thank you. I want to let you know that everything is okay now, and I am well. Thank you so much for stopping, and helping me. I will never see you again, and it is a bitter feeling, you won’t even know the indelible mark you have left in my life — you are a stranger, a memory I will relay to my kids if I ever have any.

I hope you continue to offer that same compassion to others who are struggling. You’ve shown me what it means to truly uplift someone, and I am forever grateful.