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A Stranger Saves My Day On The NYC Subway
February 10th, 2012 by Mardy Sitzer
It’s Friday morning and with that comes at least for me a creeping sense that the clock is running out as I mentally go through the check list of what is on my to-do list, project board and follow up queue.
With a close eye on the clock I methodically go through what I can get done and still get out on time to make a meeting – the first with a new client.
As I dash out the door thinking through everything and head to the subway I am shocked to find that every car on the cross town L train at 10am is packed like sardines and so not wanting to risk running late I squeeze in and go belly to belly with a young man. I count his freckles just to pass the time and get over the awkward moment of such intimacy with a stranger.
Next stop I hop off to get the uptown train and here is where the fun really begins. I’m standing on the platform near the ledge waiting for the train and since there were no freckles to count I pulled out my cell phone to check the time and see if any messages came through. I’m there a moment or two and WHAMMMM, someone blew by me hitting me hard and knocking my phone out of my hands and I watched it fly out in front of me and down the 4 Ft. plus drop down onto the tracks.
Myself along with others on the platform walked over to the edge and looked down. Okay now my brain is melting in pain knowing this is not a good thing on so many levels including I don’t remember my new client’s address let alone their telephone number even if I could find a phone. Quickly I calculate – can I jump down there before an oncoming train comes and I’m crushed, will anyone help pull me back up, what will my clients think when I show up looking like I just crawled out of the sewers?
Before I could exhale, a man removed his backpack and jumped down and retrieved my phone. Really, I’m not kidding! Several people tried to give him a hand to get back up, everyone was pitching in. The man handed me my phone, whipped up his backpack and took off before I could even properly say thank you!
Wait, it gets even better! Everyone standing around yelled after the man ‘thank you’ and it wasn’t even their phone. Our train arrived and we all boarded and looking around at one another there were grins, smiles, and sheer happiness on everyone’s face. To those already on the train they looked at us all wondering what was so wonderful.
We had all just been touched by an angel. That is contagious. My day has been amazing ever since that moment and I have a feeling those who stood witness to this gracious act of valor – a stranger, risking his life, to retrieve my phone was impressive as it was inspiring. I know that especially today there are at least 20 – 30 New Yorker’s being extra happy and hopefully extra helpful!
Personally I am left with a sense of gratitude and knowing I’ve been blessed, not just because I got my phone back but also because someone – a stranger, touched my world in such a grand way. I LOVE NEW YORK!
Way to go ,great story the Best place to Live Only In NY .
How wonderful! It is instances like these that reinforce the human spirit!
It certainly did for me! Thanks!
What a precious story! Thanks for sharing it! Times like this remind us of how linked together and connected we really all are. Sometimes it takes a scary situation or a tragedy to join people together. Let’s expand that to connecting and relating positively more often, too!
Thanks Andrea! Yes, it was a great wake up call for me – a real WOW moment! I still am walking around smiling at everyone.
Agree with Steve. New Yorkers are known for friendly, helpfulness!