Strangers on street…

First instance:

“But don’t you miss home?“, a kind old lady put this question in front of me after a polite short conversation.

I was on my way to pick up some wine for new year celebration in 2015. And while I waited at the U-bahn station for my train, an old lady struggling to carry some things caught my attention. As an instant reaction, I offered to help her a hand. She looked up in but surprise (maybe not being very used to it), since she did seem like on her own.

My German then was okay-ish. And she started talking. The same questions about why am I here.

Although I was taken aback but starting to realise it was just out of curiosity since I obviously don’t look like someone from Stuttgart.

I told her how I came here for my masters and so on. Presently working and hence I live here. Then she asked how old was I.

Knowing my age (then) surprised her even more. She then looked really sad. I asked her what happened suddenly? And then she went on to explain her plans for the day.

She told, today is new years eve. Her husband passed away few years ago. She had a son who was over 40 and he’s unemployed. He never visits her or helps in any way and over that she has to support him (I guess she was talking about finances).

Listening to that, I really didn’t have anything to reply and all I could do was look at her with all the feelings I felt at the moment.

Then she asked me about my parents and so on (nothing personal but some genuine questions).

By the end of it, she just blessed me and told, “May God give you the strength and happiness and your parents are so lucky to have you as a child“. Gave me her number and asked me to visit her whenever I passed by the area.

I tried calling her a few weeks later but there was no reply. And after that I forgot under what name had I stored the name (my bad).

I hope she is genuinely doing well and hopefully gets some peace in her old age.

It made me realise (although I somehow knew it), rather reminded me, how much children being good to their parents can mean to them. I genuinely hope, I don’t make my parents sad at any point of time in life.

But today, after all these months, I am reminded of her because of another stranger old man who spoke to me randomly this morning.

Second instance:

While keeping some things in my bag pack, and wearing it over my shoulders, he stops me to ask if my bag is too heavy.

I was a little hesitant and was taken aback slightly.

I told, no I’m good. Thank you. Then he asked if I’m from Turkey (which apparently is the first guess of people here a lot of times, about me).

I clarified I’m from India. And unlike talking about Sharukh Khan and how he loves his movies (like most others have always told me), he asked me what is God called in India.

I tried explaining about the variety of deities we have in our country and it’s really difficult to name one. He then asked okay, what is God itself called in your language.

After 6 times attempt of pronouncing ‘Bhagwan’ (which is God in Hindi), he pronounced something close to it and said, “May Bhagwan bless you. Stay happy. Bye.”

I just smiled, thanked him and continued walking back to my home.

It’s funny how sometimes, in your lowest of times, there comes a stranger and changes your day/mood and sometimes perspective. 

These were 2 of the touching instances that I shared.

They did make me smile today, give me the courage I desperately needed today. Thank you kind strangers. Thank you for sharing a part of your journey and adding a part of you to mine.

And now I shall get back to reading my “Furiously Happy” 🙂

Keep smiling and stay strong 🙂