Brighten Your Day

Man Names Child After Teen Who Asked Him A Simple Question

September 15, 2023

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often forget the incredible power that simple acts of kindness and concern can wield.

In an inspiring story of heroism, a young man recently proved that a single question— "Are you okay?"—can make all the difference between life and death.

Meet Jamie Harrington.

Jamie, 16, was on his way to the store when he noticed a stranger sitting alone on the edge of a bridge.

"I was just on my way to the American sweet shop to buy some Gatorade, when I saw this guy in his 30s sitting on the ledge of the bridge," he told Humans of Dublin. "I just thought, 'wow...' I stopped and asked him if he was okay, but I knew from the look in his eyes he wasn't, and he didn't say anything either, but I saw tears coming from his eyes. I pleaded with him for a while to come down and sit on the steps, and eventually he did."

Over the next 45 minutes, Jamie listened attentively as the stranger shared his burdens.

"We sat on the sidewalk on the south side of the Liffey and talked for about 45 minutes, about what was happening to him, why was he feeling that way... I couldn't leave him there alone, but I had to go, so I was going to ring an ambulance," Jamie recalled. "I told him they could help him feel better. But he was like 'please, please don't call them, I'm fine, I just want to walk around for a while, I'm gonna be okay!'"

The man eventually accepted Jamie's request and was taken to a hospital. Before departing, the two exchanged phone numbers.

Jamie continued: "And about three months ago, he texted me that his wife is pregnant, they're having a boy, and they're naming him after me.

Can you believe that? They're going to name their child after me.

He said in that moment that I approached him, he was just about to jump, and those few words saved his life. That they're still ringing in his head every day. "Are you okay?"

I can't really understand how these few words could save his life, but he told me, 'Imagine if nobody ever asked you those words...'"

Sometimes, all it takes is a moment of genuine concern, a kind word, or a simple question to make a world of difference.

Jamie's story serves as a beautiful reminder that each of us has the potential to be a hero in someone else's life by reaching out and asking, "Are you okay?"

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