(stock image via Depositphotos)
I recently came upon a Twitter thread from 2019 that literally made me stop and catch my breath.
On March 4, 2019, one Twitter user asked the question: “What is the kindest thing a stranger has done or said to you?”
Several stories were posted, but this one, from Joe in Chicago, stood out for obvious reasons.
A phone call to an LGBTQ book store from a confused young man results in a tribal instinct to protect by taking ‘that call.’
Oh God I can’t even tell this story and not cry.
I used to manage an LGBT bookstore, when bookstores were still a thing. One night, a caller says he thinks he might be gay and is considering self-harm. We were not a crisis center!
But as long as we’re talking, he’s safe, right?— Joe (@TweetChizone) March 4, 2019
So I talk to this guy and I answer questions, and I try to be encouraging and I’m maybe sounding a little frantic and I’m definitely ignoring the 4-5 customers in the store, and this angel of a woman puts her hand on my shoulder and asks for the phone.
“My turn,” she says.— Joe (@TweetChizone) March 4, 2019
And SHE, this 50-something lesbian talks to this stranger on the phone. And a LINE FORMS BEHIND HER. Every customer in that store knows that call, knows that feeling, and every person takes a turn talking to that man.
That story comforts me so much to this day.— Joe (@TweetChizone) March 4, 2019
Wow. There are so many good folks out there. Let us not forget that because it keeps you going in times like these.
— Judy Howard, Esq 😷 🇺🇸 (@JudyHallHoward) March 5, 2019
Just found this heartwarming thread. Indeed comforting and brings hope for humanity. 😭❤️
— Henrik Perälä (@henrikperala) March 17, 2021
This fills my heart. ❤️
— Marla Erwin 🏳️🌈 #BanTheGOP (@marlaerwin) March 14, 2021
So I saw this post on BuzzFeed and I screenshotted it & sent it to everyone I know. I cry every time I read this story and it lets me know that this world, it’s going to be ok. There is more good than bad. Thank you a million times over for sharing this story!!
— Hospitalist Prime (@skrishnan37) March 17, 2019
Of all the things the Internet has done for the LGBTQ community, the biggest boon is suicide prevention. Queers can’t say anything online that looks the least bit like they want to hurt themselves without a flock of people showing up to help them through the moment.
— Reconstructionist_Reconnaissance (@RealArtisans) March 7, 2019
Just in case you or anybody else needs this info. Plus, here’s the link to the online chat- https://t.co/1Wqmm6h1VX pic.twitter.com/ZLLpEp2JQR
— Awesomesauce Me (@Awesomesauce_Me) March 5, 2019
