Dear Stranger,

I know you probably don’t remember me, but in 2011, I was riding home from school during one of the worst months of my life. I want to tell you why I was crying and how your random act of kindness impacted me.

I was failing junior year, and all my teachers kept telling me was “if you can’t keep your grades up, you can’t be in the play.” I had been performing in the plays during the other 2 years, which meant the only coping mechanism I’d had for the past 3 years was off-limits.

My acting teacher, Mr. C, was pissed. He made it known to me. One day after that meeting, I walked into his classroom after school because I had some free time before I had to travel home. I stopped in and said hello because I was feeling down, and so Mr. C was cruel to me. He told me, “I went to bat for you, and you [messed] up. If you can’t do the show, then you can’t be here,” and he screamed, “GET OUT” at me. It was traumatizing and I remember walking the blind student to the bathroom before going home and trying to stop myself from crying. Once I got on the subway, I began bawling. It was the first time I cried since my dad had been kicked out.

I recall that you were sitting a few seats down from me, and you hugged me and said, “I don’t know what you’re going through, but you’re gonna be okay.” I had felt hopeless. Nobody had been able to get through to me like that. I remember you getting off at the next stop and thanking you. Every memory from that time is so fresh. It’s likely the result of trauma’s impacts on the body.

I was forced to move upstate 4 months later to get a fresh start. Whenever I write about that time between our eviction and the clean slate in Middletown, I remember this kind woman who comforted a crying teenager. I think of your kindness. Thank you for that kindness. It made me such a brave person and made me realize that your statement was so true! It will get better. Obviously, it ebbs and flows, but in the end, it all gets better. Thank you for that mantra. It may feel small, but I do hope you know the impact of your words and actions.

Sincerely,

Finnoula