I came across this blog post titled To the Woman Behind Me in Line at the Grocery Store. It reminded me of a personal experience during those time when I was so down and out and don't know where to find help.

6 years ago, I also met my angel in disguise from a totally stranger.  I was working at a small firm here at our local place that time and the salary was not good because the business was not doing good also. After a few months working, I sneak out during breaks to hunt for better jobs. Then came a time when I desperately needed money to buy food and milk for my son. I break down and cry at the office, out of frustration. I message some friends and ask for help. And so while waiting, I distract myself to calmed down. I went to a chatroom and entertained myself at chatting at random people. Until I got a message from a guy in Yahoo Messenger.

He is also from Cagayan de Oro and currently on his vacation because he work as a seaman. We talked random stuffs, until our conversation went to each of our problems. He has some problem with his current girlfriend and family that time, and he unloaded it all on me. He gave me advice and words of encouragement on my problem. He also, without hesitation, told me that he will help me. I thought he was just kidding, when he said that he will gave me money for me to atleast not worry for that day. He told me to just smile and don't think to much of what the things that gives me worries and sadness. To be honest, I felt a bit better after that.

Before he bid goodbye, he ask my phone number and where in the city is my work located at. I know it was silly and stupid, considering that he is a complete stranger and a man, but I gave it to him. A few minutes after, I was surprise... He called me on my phone and said he is somewhere near the office. I didn't believe it at first, but something is telling me to check if its true. So, nervously, I did check him out and saw that indeed he was there, with the phone in his ear talking to me.  When he saw me he ask if its really me. And when I came to him, he took my hand and gave me the money and said "Hi! I know its unusual for me to be doing this, but I hope you will take this money. I hope this will help you for now. Don't worry pay me when you already have extra money. No rush. Take care." And then turn around and left. With the Php500.00 peso in my hand, I was not able to move for a moment and not even had the chance to say thank you. I really couldn't believe it. I only said thank you to him when I came back at the office and see that the money was still in my hand. I message him on Yahoo Messenger because I don't have a load on my phone. After that we don't have much communication. He was busy processing his paper because he is going back to work, 5 days after that.

A few months after, he was in town for a vacation he sent me a text message asking how I was and how was life and that's it. I sent him a message saying, how thankful I am for his help and that may he be blessed always for his kindness. He responded, "No do not praise me I'm no angel, im not the type of person who is kind." I was nervous that time because this time he might ask me something in-exchange for that help he gave me, but he didn't. When I responded to his message, we just texted shortly and that's it. We never meet again ever since that day he helped me. We use to send each other hi and hello's on Friendster but after Friendster was gone we no longer have a communication. We also lost each others phone numbers.

Right now, I am wondering how he is doing. I do hope that he is blessed and happy because he deserves it. I will forever thank him for he not only help me that time but he has also thought me a lesson to live by... Smile and trust that for every struggles you experience there's always hope and answer for it. Strangers can be a blessing too.

Here is the letter from the blog True Stories of a Midwest Yankee: To the Woman Behind Me in Line at the Grocery Store