Encounter with an immigrant 🌞

I just had a lovely experience that I would like to share. I just got a ClearCaptions* phone, and the technician came today to set it up and show me how to use it. He was a young black man with a noticeable foreign accent (possibly Haitian, although I couldn't swear to it).

While he was working on the phone, I decided there was something I wanted to say to him. When he finished and was heading for the door, after thanking him for his help, I added (paraphrasing), "I can tell you're not originally from this country, and I just want to say welcome, and let you know that there are many of us who are deeply ashamed of the man who is running for president and is saying so many terrible things about immigrants."

I could tell he knew exactly what I was talking about, and when I finished, he held out his arms, and we shared a big hug! I could tell he was genuinely moved by what I said, and I was deeply moved by his response.

After he left, I was thinking about the whole thing, and it dawned on me that I had actually made that little speech partially for selfish reasons. I really am ashamed of the things Trump says about immigrants, and I wanted to disassociate myself from him and the bile he is spewing.

I also wanted that man to know that many, many Americans feel as I do and are NOT like Trump. I definitely succeeded in that respect, but I was (perhaps foolishly) not prepared for such a heartfelt reaction. I feel like I may have made a real difference in the life of another human being today, and that realization makes me feel both proud and humbled.

I just wanted to share this, NOT to blow my own horn, but because this experience has made me appreciate how a small action or a kind word can make much more of a difference than we might imagine. I'm really grateful to have had this opportunity, and I'm going to try to be alert for more opportunities like this from now on.

It would be lovely if that man goes home tonight to his family and tells them about the nice white lady who welcomed him to this country instead of treating him like an interloper, but whether he does or not, I know I made a difference in his day, and that, my friends, is an amazing feeling!

-----------------------------------------------------------------
*You may have see the commercials on TV; it's a phone for hearing impaired people that provides captions of what is being said. I encourage anyone with a hearing loss that makes it hard to understand what people are saying to look into it. It's 100% free, paid for by a fund that the telecommunication companies are all required to pay into. You can find all the information here: https://clearcaptions.com/