The Night I Almost Gave Up

More Than Just My Day, It Was a Cold Night. The rain fell softly on the window. I was sitting on my bed, all alone in my room. My cell phone was next to me, but I didn't want to write to anyone. I felt empty. Tired. And sad.

I don't know exactly why I felt so bad. Maybe it was school. Maybe it was the argument with my parents. Or maybe it was just all of the above. I felt as if no one really understood me.

I just wanted to get away

That night, I thought for the first time: "I can't take it anymore."

My heart was heavy. I had tears in my eyes. I just wanted to get away. Far away from everything. I asked myself: "What am I still doing all this for?"

I put on my jacket and left the house. It was late, maybe 10 p.m. The streets were empty. Only the street lamps were burning. I just started running, without a goal. I just didn't want to be home anymore.

At the bus stop

After a few minutes, I came to a bus stop. I sat down. My clothes were wet from the rain. I trembled. Not only because of the cold, but also because of the thoughts in my head.

And then... someone came.

An elderly man with an umbrella. He looked at me, smiled friendly, and asked,

"Are you okay?"

I didn't want to say anything at first. I just shook my head. I thought he would go on. But he sat down next to me. Not too close. Just there.

The stranger with the tea

He said, "I've got tea with me. Do you want a cup?"

I was surprised. I nodded. He took a small mug of warm tea out of his pocket. I took it. My hands were shaking a little.

"You don't have to solve everything today," he said. "Sometimes it's enough to just hang in there. Only today. Just this one night."

I looked at him. I didn't say anything, but my eyes filled with tears. No loud words. No long lecture. Just this one sentence. And this warm tea.

A small gesture – a big effect

We sat there for a while. Talked a bit. About the weather. About the tea.  About nothing and yet about everything. He didn't say much. But he listened. And that was enough.

After half an hour, I got up. I said quietly, "Thank you." He nodded.

"You'll make it," he said.

Then I went home.

I didn't give up

I often think back to that night. It was the night I almost gave up. But I didn't. Because of a stranger who gave me tea. Who listened to me. Who was simply there.

He didn't know how much I needed this gesture. He didn't know that he might have saved my life. And yet he was da.

Today I'm stronger

I've learned: Sometimes a small gesture is enough. A friendly word. A little time. Every person fights his or her own battle. And sometimes your kindness can be just what someone needs.

So if you see someone who looks sad – ask. Listen. Offer a tea.

You never know how much you can do with it.

I know it. Because I was once this person at the bus stop.