“Going Up” For Kindness

I try to always be kind because I believe when you are kind to others, good comes in return, no matter how small.

My story, although small, begins:

I recently broke my wrist. I am in a hard cast and a sling and somewhat uncomfortable, and worried about what the x-rays will show. My mind was focused on what the doctor was going to say (i.e., surgery or not).

I was heading to the area where the elevators were. As I approached the elevator area, I noticed an elderly woman standing at the elevator, using her cane to push the “UP” button. She pushed it a couple of times … I paused for a minute thinking I should help push the button. Then, I noticed the elevator pinged like it was coming to our floor or it was opening. I stepped slightly around her to check. I thought maybe she didn’t hear the pinging or just to see if another elevator opened.

It turned out the elevator was pinging because the door was already open to go up. The lady had no idea she was prohibiting the elevator doors from closing, by pushing the “UP” button multiple times.

I moved rather quickly to the elevator and saw that, although it was open, it was also crowded. I stepped in front of the doors with my body because I couldn’t get to the buttons to hold it open. I called her to come to the elevator because I was holding it open at the same time, I was cradling my arm and broken wrist.

She had some difficulty walking the short steps to the elevator. As she was walking, she was apologizing for walking slow and pushing the “UP” button multiple times. As I stood in front of the doors holding it open, I said to her “Take your time. I got you.” There was just enough space for me but I made room for her to get on the elevator so she could get to her floor.

Although my mind was on my broken wrist and worried about the outcome, a random act of kindness took my mind away from me temporarily to help someone else. 🙂

Angela Eldridge
Grants Management Specialist
FM Talent

Photo by Point3D Commercial Imaging Ltd. on Unsplash