An unexpected connection at a bus shelter left a lasting impression on me

first person

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It was 2 a.m. in Niagara Falls, Ont., on a windy, cold and rainy night. I was alone, huddled under a dimly lit bus shelter waiting for the next GO bus to Toronto, which wouldn’t arrive for at least two hours. There were no restaurants open for warmth, so I passed the time by watching a movie on my phone, trying to distract myself from the chill.

Then, a woman stepped into the shelter.

She looked to be in her late 30s or early 40s, short and lightweight, soaking wet and carrying a large, worn-out blue backpack.

“Excuse me,” she said, her voice gentle but hopeful. When I looked up, I was struck by her smile. She radiated a warmth that melted