In the Chaos, Kindness Stood Still

Justin and I left for an impromptu trip to Houghton, Michigan, very early Saturday morning. We were going to pick up a scissor lift that Justin had recently purchased. The plan was to load it up late that afternoon and head home that night or early Sunday morning.

Well… things didn’t go quite as planned...and we would soon see why this was a blessing in disguise.

When we arrived, the yard where the lift was located was locked.....closed up for the weekend. The man Justin had spoken with must not have realized this, because he had told Justin there wouldn’t be any issue picking it up on a Saturday.

After assessing our options, we decided the best thing to do was to extend our hotel stay another night, assuming that we likely wouldn’t hear back from anyone until Monday. Despite multiple calls and texts, we didn’t hear from the man again until Sunday afternoon, when we sat down for some lunch at Copper Depot. Thankfully, he offered to run to the yard and unlock the gate for us.

With a LOT of effort......and a fair amount of frustration on Justin’s part....and some Divine assistance....he got the lift loaded. 

We took the rest of Sunday evening to slow down. We went agate hunting along Lake Superior, wandered through the beautiful city late into the night, and just enjoyed some good quality time together.

Monday morning, we loaded everything up and began the drive home, taking our time and enjoying the road. That evening was peaceful....spent with some of the kids, sorting through the unique rocks we had found, laughing, sharing stories, and settling in after a long weekend.

We went to bed that night, completely unaware of what would happen within an hour of falling asleep.

I was jolted awake by something no wife ever wants to see (or hear)......Justin was having a seizure.

I had never witnessed one before. I didn’t know what to do except roll him to his side so he wouldn’t choke on what he was spitting up… and pray...and pray some more, of course. It was terrifying, disorienting, and felt like it lasted forever.

The sheriff and first responders arrived quickly and were incredibly helpful and patient. As they assessed him and talked with us, Justin became more alert but firmly refused to get into the ambulance. He insisted that I be the one to take him to the ER.....and anyone who knows him knows he meant it. So, with their support, we carefully talked him into the vehicle, and I drove him to the hospital myself.

When we arrived at the ER, the waiting room was completely full.....packed wall-to-wall.... with a wait time as long as four hours. We stood there, feeling the weight of what had just happened and unsure of how long we might be waiting.

A young man, who had already been waiting for three hours and appeared to have a broken toe or foot, got up and offered me his seat so our family could sit together.  I said, "Really?  Thank you!  But where are YOU going to sit?" I found a seat with a blanket on it and made it available for him. His small act of kindness was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

But it didn’t stop there!

I don't think we were waiting to be seen for more than an hour, and Justin had a second seizure in the waiting room. I quickly helped guide him to the floor. In the middle of the chaos, I immediately turned to our 15-year-old daughter, shielding her eyes and covering her ears.......desperate to protect her from the trauma of watching and hearing her dad seize again.

That same young man saw what I was doing and responded FAST without hesitation. He took off his shirt, gently placed it on my arm, and stood with his back to us, using his own body to block our daughter’s view. He said, "I'm going to stand right here like a shield so your daughter doesn't have to see what's going on."

It was one of the most selfless, compassionate things I’ve ever witnessed. HE COULD BARELY WALK!  But yet, he jumped up and hurriedly rushed over to us! 

I want to thank every single person in that waiting room. Many offered support, checked on my daughter, and helped in different ways. But to this young man....you stood out. You blessed us in a way you may never fully understand. I don’t know your name or your story, but I pray you somehow see this or hear about it.

Please know that we are SO grateful for your kindness!

And to the hospital staff... I should’ve said this right away, and I apologize for not doing so earlier....THANK YOU. From the moment Justin began to seize, you moved fast and professionally. Within seconds, we were surrounded by medical staff doing what they’re trained to do. When we first checked in, they explained the triage process and how Justin’s condition was prioritized appropriately. That made a huge difference in helping us feel seen.....even in a packed room.

I didn’t see the full waiting room as a flaw in the system. I saw it as evidence of a strained but committed group of people doing their best in a hard season.

This wasn’t just a scary night.....it was also a night where compassion showed up. In the middle of fear and uncertainty, a stranger stood beside us and carried a bit of our burden.

To the young man with the injured foot: thank you for giving up your seat… for stepping in as a shield… and for reminding us that kindness still lives in the quietest corners of this world.