A Heartfelt Encounter: How Kindness Can Change Lives Forever
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Chapter 1: A Lesson in Presence
This narrative revolves around the significance of human connection and how a moment of kindness can transform lives.
I was once a hockey dad during our years in Canada, but after relocating to the southwestern United States, my son decided to join a recreational hockey league in Arizona to maintain his enthusiasm for the sport. Unlike Canada, where ice rinks are abundant, Arizona has far fewer options. Hence, many recreational hockey games took place outdoors on concrete surfaces using inline skates, eliminating the need for Zambonis and heavy jackets for spectators.
In our small town, a new outdoor facility became the hub for practices and games. Parents typically dropped off their kids for a few hours of fun before returning to pick them up. Given that hockey can be a rough sport, I often felt uneasy about leaving my son there unattended. To compromise, I would bring work along to stay occupied while he practiced.
Section 1.1: The Challenge of Multitasking
Balancing work while keeping an eye on my child was a struggle I wasn’t alone in facing. However, I found it particularly difficult to concentrate on my writing amidst the bustling environment.
Among the other parents, there was one individual who frequently stayed during practices—Doyle, the grandfather of my son’s friend. Doyle was a charming figure, exuding warmth and kindness towards the children. He resembled a blend of Colonel Sanders and Gomer Pyle, with a thick Oklahoma accent that could charm anyone.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Nature of Introversion
While one might assume that as a comedian and speaker I would be naturally extroverted, I am quite the opposite. I often prefer solitude, introspection, and focused creative endeavors. On that particular day, I buried myself in my writing while Doyle, as usual, watched his grandson play. I couldn’t help but admire the simple love he showed by being present.
Despite my admiration for his commitment, I typically avoided long conversations with him, as social interactions often stress me out. However, on this day, I felt an inexplicable pull to engage with Doyle. Ironically, I was writing about the very notion of our tendency to believe we don’t matter in others’ lives—a concept I termed “Pretend You Don’t Matter.”
Section 1.2: The Irony of Ignoring Connection
It struck me as ironic that I was encouraging others to engage while I was resisting connection. Doyle's genuine attention to the children was a powerful demonstration of "mattering" to his grandson.
I found myself torn between the comfort of my work and the urge to connect. Eventually, I stepped out of my vehicle, feeling like a reluctant child responding to a parent’s insistence. “Okay, I’m going!” I thought, setting aside my laptop, making my way to Doyle’s truck.
Chapter 2: A Moment of Urgency
As I approached Doyle’s window, I waited for him to notice me, but he remained fixated on the rink. A gentle tap on the glass finally prompted him to look my way. We exchanged greetings, but I soon realized there was more to his demeanor than met the eye. His speech was slurred, and he appeared disoriented.
Concerned, I asked him to roll down the window completely, only to discover he couldn’t move his left arm. Recognizing the severity of the situation, I immediately called 911, suspecting he was experiencing a stroke.
Fortuitously, an ambulance was nearby, responding within minutes. Paramedics quickly confirmed my fears and took Doyle to the hospital.
Thanks to swift action, Doyle survived the stroke with minimal damage. His daughter often expresses gratitude to me for saving his life. In truth, my only goal was to break the rule of thinking I didn’t matter, a rule Doyle never followed in his relationship with his grandson. His demonstration of care inspired my small act of reaching out.
More often than we realize, a simple gesture of presence can profoundly impact others. Sometimes, that act of kindness can even help us in return.
The second video highlights the transformative power of kindness as seen through the lens of someone who quit their job to travel the world, relying solely on the generosity of strangers.