Elevated Kindness

It was a whirlwind birthday celebration weekend in the amazing city of Chicago. Seven friends exploring the sights, the architecure, the parks, the river, the restaurants and pubs. The weather was mostly sunny, as too was the company.

We took the El all over town - the city's anciently wonderful train system. Easy on, easy off, easy pay, fairly clean and only one encounter with a tweaked-out man posturing, yelling and saying he was a gargoyle. Compared to my NYC subway adventures, I almost felt cheated there wasn't more drama on the tracks. Well, not really.

We were rushing off the train and met by a pop up storm outside the tunnel exit. Still not dismayed. Even the storm was Midwesternly pleasant. After 10 minutes, it let up, we exited. And that's when it happened. Jodi stopped and did a frantic search of satchel & pockets.

Her iphone was left on the train.

Immediately, our crew of friends scattered in response: to the tunnel to seek out a CTA employee, on the phone w/ information to contact the CTA office, and me dialing Jodi's number over and over in the hopes someone would answer. No luck with any avenues...until after about a dozen dialing attempts, a male voice answers Jodi's phone. I physically bounce to attention yelling "ooh ooh ahh hello, who is this?" "I found this phone on the Red Line and am looking for someone to give it to." said the stranger. pause. "But I can't find any CTA security."

"We can come to you, where are you," I ask, nodding at my travel mates. So, then 3 of us were off to meet him. It ended up being a 20-min ride with us watching the transit map, ticking w/ nervous energy, and counting the stops. Once we hit the mark, we ran off the train in 3 directions looking for someone we don't know.

The Jodi spotted him. Well, actually, she spotted her phone. Then him. We never got his name. He was in a bit of hurry. Probably a little weirded out that a chunky lady (me) went running at him yelling "phone guy" and wrapping him a hug. Jodi offered him money. He declined. I offered again, insisting. He declined and obvious was uncomfortable that we'd even thought he'd accept. We thanked him over and over. Told him that good Karma will reward him. Then he was off -- to catch his other train.

And we stood for a minute. Relieved to have found the coveted telephonic lifeline. We were giddy. Within seconds, we realized our elation was more about the fact that there was a stranger on a train that took time to do a kind deed than it was about having the phone back.

Would you try to find the owner of a lost item? Of course, we say yes. But what if you were in a hurry (this stranger seemed to be). What if you were having a horrible day. What if you figured someone else would take care of it? What if.

This kind stranger...he didn't ask What If. He just did. He marched forth. In the middle of July, he Marched Forth.

So, this famous Chicago system isn't the only thing that was elevated.
Our belief in kind strangers was as well.