A Stranger’s Kindness: How a Gas Station Encounter Changed My Life
At 18 years old, I had no idea how to maintain my car. One night, at the AM/PM gas station in Fairfield, my car began to overheat. I was completely lost and unsure of what to do, especially since no one had ever taught me how to check fluids or handle basic car maintenance. That’s when a stranger in his mid-40s pulled up in his truck and asked, “What’s going on with your car?”
I explained that the car was overheating, and he immediately jumped into action. When I admitted I didn’t know how to check fluids, he asked if my dad had taught me. I told him I didn’t have one. Without hesitation, he spent over an hour with me in the parking lot, patiently showing me the basics of car maintenance. From checking and adding fluids to changing a tire, he taught me everything I needed to know to keep my car in good shape. He even helped me fix the overheating issue right there!
This stranger didn’t just teach me; he encouraged me. He’d show me how to do something and then ask me to do it myself. His positivity and fun spirit left a lasting impression. As I drove away that night, I couldn’t help but think how lucky I was to have met such a kind person. It made me wish he were my dad.
Fast forward ten years, and I was at a Chevron gas station when I saw a young woman whose car was smoking. I couldn’t help but jump in and offer help, just like that stranger had done for me all those years ago. I showed her how to check fluids and handle her car, and as I did, I remembered that simple act of kindness that had changed my life.
That experience taught me how powerful one small, kind gesture can be. Thanks to the mystery man who took the time to help me, I was able to pay it forward and teach another young lady the same valuable lesson. My car has never run low on fluids since, and I’m forever grateful for that gas station encounter that taught me Car 101.
If you’ve ever had a life-changing experience with a stranger, it’s a reminder of how impactful simple acts of kindness can be. Keep an eye out for opportunities to help someone else, and who knows—you could be changing someone’s life, just like that stranger did for me.