Hope you’re feeling better.
The kindness of strangers should remind us all to do the same.

were able to find just who you needed when you needed them.

The person helping the person in distress often feels they got the best of it. The only thing that feels better than being helped and cared for is to have been the one who did the help and caring. It is a lovely circle in that way.

I hope things are clearing up for you. We are here, of course always, to help as we can. We all have something that works and little feels better than using that to help another person.

to be on the watch for those who need that extra bit of care... I recently read a book about "seeing" people... all these kind people were able to see a person in need... how wonderful is that in the world we now live in....

person is stressed and if they need help, just ask me and I'll do what I can. It does not impose on them because they can politely decline and it allows them to make the choice without pressure. It also allows you to say that what they need is beyond you but you are willing to help find the right support.

It's like the salesperson who doesn't say "Can I help you?" when you are just looking around (imposing themselves on you) but who, instead, says "If you need help, just ask. I am available." (letting you call the shots)

Hope you’re recovering well.

But not all are. I'm glad you were surrounded by those that were.

Whatever your situation (health wise) was at the time, I hope you've recovered and are feeling well.

All the best going forward.

It is nice to see that even in commercial settings, and among strangers, humanity can still rise.

KnR

same for others a time or two. I’m so glad you found a number of earth angels on your journey while having to travel alone. 💕

Generally, people have no idea what to do in a medical emergency or when they see someone in distress. There are a lot of myths too, like, the fear that someone will sue them if they intervene (despite all states having some level of Good Samaritan laws), or, the fear of social embarrassment or looking foolish that they overreacted to someone not actually being in distress.

It’s always worth it just to check. It’s much worse to ignore someone in distress than be wrong about someone being in distress.

We have met IRL, and you are a great person.

Secondly, when you feel able to, I would 00% contact Marriott about this -- they actually have a lot of locations near major medical centers, and often take in Ronald McDonald house and similar overflows. I don't work for them, but know via my job they pride themselves in assisting folks like you.

on edit: and yes, ask. A situation a couple years ago shows this: there was an elderly lady sitting cowering under the overhang outside Safeway. It was cold, rainy, she had two suitcases. Dressed very nicely with a nice haircut, so not the usual unhoused we see there. I always stop when I see older women -- Sacramento has motels for them and single moms. Long story short: her housing became unstable because of her landlord's death, she was retired, and had no local family or close friends anymore. She let me call the emergency shelter number, although she started crying and said she was embarrassed and didn't want me to. Within 15 minutes, a social worker and medic came and took her away -- they told em she would ahve a safe room to herself, food,e tc., and they would make sure she had a good place to land.

So, always ask. People you think seem together or middle class need help. Do not be embarrassed. The above story isn't about me, it's about just stopping and aksing.

Good people, especially in this time, have a little extra kindness to give to others who are hurting.

life, at a Walmart. He noticed an older lady on a battery shopping cart and her daughter as he walked in, but went on to do his shopping. Moments later he saw them again, but the mother looked slumped over on the cart, and the daughter looking distraught. My son immediately asked a couple questions, helped the lady to the floor and began checking vitals and performing CPR. He had had only basic first aid training but knew enough to start immediate help. He got her pulse going again and stabilized her till the EMTs arrived a few long minutes later, likely saving her life.

He mentioned this on the phone to me the other day. I am so proud of him!

I know this is a higher level of outreach than you are advocating, but it is similar in the sense of the need to be aware of your surrounding, and of people in obvious distress, and be willing to reach out.

Public medical emergencies feel awkward for the patient, but it’s when those gifted people with a good heart step up to help.

Mister Rogers suggested for children in crisis to “look for the helpers” during chaos.

So glad you experienced it personally. 😻

When I see someone in distress, I ask if there is anything I can do to help. Sometimes I can, other times, it's "no, but thank you for asking". And, more times than I like to remember, being first on the scene of an accident or medical emergency, and either rendering assistance, or at least being able to summon assistance.

Your DU family is here for you.

I believe most Americans are good-hearted and sympathetic, but many people are uncomfortable in situations when they don't know how to act. It's their failing not yours, but that's no comfort to you, is it?

Many Americans have been told, "Stay out of the way and let the professionals do their job." I guess the assumption is that doctors and nurses are everywhere, and always on call in case someone is in distress. (That's totally not the case, of course.) Also there is the fear of liability, "what if I step in to help, and then later on I'm slapped with a lawsuit?" This happens more often than you might think.

I'm glad that you encountered a few kind souls who did make an effort to help you. They were probably "paying it forward" for a time when a stranger came forward and helped them, just as you plan to do.

Good luck dear and thanks for sharing this story!

As my wife and I age, it’s been illustrative how opposites do attract. A constant “cutting hair and selling watches”, as it often works out. A horribly politically incorrect story that my father used to read to me, was Uncle Remus, The Tar Baby. The part of the story that I have flashed on for many days of my adult life, is having a project that the harder you fight it, the stucker you get. It sounds like yu had a Tar Baby vacation. Sometimes I am out of sync with the whole universe, and yet I will keep swinging.