An act of kindness

To tell you about this good deed, I must tell you a little about my background. I always dreamed of America, and if ever asked a question about my future I would say “I will be a doctor living in America”. No one ever took me seriously, however, when I made that dream come true, suddenly I had so many believers. I packed two bags that July of 2017, one filled with my clothes, the other with some books and gifts for the person who would be waiting for me here. I was wearing this old flannel shirt, with black leggings and the only pair of shoes I bought, one that were a size too small. I remember the happiness of realising a dream overshadowing the fact that I was living my family, my comfort my whole world until then behind. I was not ready for the hardship that I would face.

For the first year, I adapted to this new culture, changing and adding things to what made me, me. I struggled, and fought and survived along the way. Dealt with situations and people that made me stronger. Then, finally the first day of college came. Here I am- working full time, going to school after work and riding a two hour bus home, just to make my other dreams come true. I had to take this class for religion, since it was the only one that fit in my schedule, and I hated the idea that I would have to deal with the theme of religion when science was my passion. Yet, sitting there in a chair, explaining lectures and trying to get students to understand critical thinking and get to know religions in the world, was a 90 year old man. I was amazed, the fact that this professor had such love and passion for teaching that even at that age he was ready to face strong minded people like me. I didn’t know then, but that very first day of college, on my very first class, I met the kindest man I had ever known.

The professor, I will call him, was patient, and a feminist, and a stong believer in science, and just pushed us to think, and analyze and be able to critically argue any subject. Yet, he was the sweetest person, who took time and tried to know all his students one by one, even though he forgot our names easily. He took an interest in me, when he noticed that I would show up in every class running, and always carried an umbrella, and was always tired. I told him my story and he listened, and he understood the difficult situation that I was in, and offered me help. You see, since before his wife died, they had housed students who were in difficult economic situations for free, with the only condition being that you had to excel on your studies and sometimes listen to the stories of an old soul. He offered me the same deal, if I ever found myself in a situation where I needed housing. I never thought I would, until the May of the following year, where I was so desperate that I thought maybe he would help. He did. I had a roof under my head, actually an entire basement, I had roommates who were focused on their studies just as much as me, and who like me worked more than one job to put themselves through college. I made friends, and always had a grandpa figure who was always ready to give advice over a cup of tea and a good book.

This, 90 year old man, saved my life. He became my family, my support and is to this day. I am almost done with college, and still working 2 jobs, and going to school full time, and I know that if needed I have someone in my corner, who supports me by giving me the most basic thing a human needs- shelter and safety- and asks for nothing in return. I came to this country alone, full of dreams, and when I thought I was about to lose it all, I found a person who his whole life has been helping people like me achieve their goals. I can not wait to be that person to someone one day.