When you’re dealing with arguments with your mother-in-law and stress at work, it can be easy to lose faith in kindness.

But sometimes, a stranger’s act of compassion can remind you that kindness still exists.

I became a mother at 17, and not long after, my son’s father and I split up. Without support from my parents, I struggled to make ends meet. Eventually, I ran out of food and found myself in a desperate situation. I turned to my friends for help, holding my 1-year-old son in my arms, but they couldn’t offer any assistance.

Feeling hopeless, I walked aimlessly, tears streaming down my face. That’s when a car pulled up beside me, and a man said, “Get in, I’ll give you a ride.” At first, I was hesitant, but it was raining, and I had nowhere else to go, so I accepted his offer.

As we drove, I opened up about my struggles. The man listened carefully, and then, to my surprise, he handed me $100. That money allowed me to pay for daycare and start looking for a job. We didn’t become wealthy, but his act of kindness made all the difference in my life.

Now, 30 years later, my son is grown, and I often think about that man’s generosity. His simple act of kindness restored my faith and helped me through one of the darkest times in my life.