I woke up with five hours of sleep, had to drive two hours total to get my teeth checked out, then forced myself to get an oil change before I crashed. Came into the local auto shop, and they worked hard to squeeze me in (almost said no due to time crunch).
The owner lets me know I need two new tires (long story), I explain I know I just don't have the money at the moment. Even the oil change was a stretch for me. Then the gentleman in the waiting room sparked a conversation with me. We're talking about tires and license plates lol. We were both confused why WI went from three letters and three numbers to three letters and four numbers lol.
I'll be honest, I was exhausted in the first few minutes- I didn't want to carry on the convo because I was so tired (I'm usually a yapper). In the past, I would've found a way to end the chat but, instead something in me shifted and I began feeling energized by it. The conversation kept flowing, and we shared a bit about our lives. I explain I'm trying my best to take care of my vehicle now that I have a nice car. Another dude walks into the waiting room and chimes in here or there.
Then the first gentleman looks at this guy and says, "What do you think, should we chip in and buy her tires?" I immediately tell them not to because I know they work hard for their money. Insisting they keep the money and use it themselves. He goes, "I'm retired! I have money! I have nothing to do with it. I like to give back to others." The second guy stays quiet, not wanting to pay for a random girl's tires, lmao, which I completely understand of course. After I refused a few more times, I said, "You really shouldn't... But hey, I won't stop you!"
We kept chatting about life after that, and I genuinely enjoyed our 30 minutes waiting together (idk how long actually didn't look at my phone the whole time). The owner walks in and says he's ready to drop the first gentleman off at home while they work on his car (this family owned business is so personable and amazing).
Before the gentleman gets up he says "Hey how much is that oil change?" and I haven't gotten one at this place before only expensive ass valvoline which I told him and said it was like $100. He takes out his wallet and hands me two fifty dollar bills. I'm in shock and feel like I'm about to cry. I'm like "Stop thank you so much. This is literally the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." He was like "SHHH I don't want people around here knowing I got money to be giving". Lol we both laugh and we wave goodbye.
This man helped me in more ways than one. As someone with PTSD, for years I feared people and believed everyone was harmful. Over three years, I didn't speak to people let alone leave my apartment. The past couple of months I have been working hard to regain trust in people, humanity as a whole. I remembered being in college and how much a random interaction with a stranger brought so much light to my day.
I make a point to have authentic conversations with random strangers anywhere I go now. At the gas station, on hikes, the grocery store, and hell even this local auto shop. Just last Friday I finally worked up the courage to ask my neighbor, who is disabled, to walk their dogs. Went on three so far and going to the dog park tomorrow. (: It felt good connecting with people and helping out however I could no matter how small. It has brought me so much joy, and I feel safe around other people again instead of fearful. I used to be horrified of older men (trauma), and now these random men have helped me move past that simply with their kindness.
The money was a life saver, like I said, I could hardly afford that oil change I knew I'd probably be going negative in my account by the end of the month (nothing new lol). I was amazed by his generosity. It also made me so grateful I have become this person so open and willing to engage with others. I know it's cheesy, but it all felt like a sign.
It really was perhaps the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me- not because they had to, or felt obligated to, because they wanted to. I was so shocked to see someone who was genuinely willing to help just because they could. It was an act of kindness I never saw coming. I will carry this experience with me for as long as I live. He inspired me to keep the mentality that the power of wealth doesn't come from hoarding it, but from how great it feels to give back and support others.
Getting teary eyed now. If by any chance this fella reads this post thank you a million times over. It was great chatting with you. Thank you for being who you are.