Everyday Champions
User Story
By Kaitlyn Perrin
My first time riding the transit system was a disaster. I had just stepped up to the bus stop with my number on it, so happy that I was not yet lost. At that instant a teenage boy bumped into me and semi fell to the ground. I immediately apologized and asked if he was all right. It wasn’t until I gave him my last toonie from my pocket and pointed him towards the next bus stop that I realized my wallet went with him on that bus. I was devastated and felt absolutely ridiculous; I had just been seriously duped. With a dead cell phone and no idea where I really was, my day seemed to be going downhill fast until the sweetest little old lady in the world saw me holding back my frustration. She laughed at my sad face and handed me enough change to catch the bus and told me it happens to the best of us. Thanking her profusely I jumped on my bus and watched her laugh and wave as my bus left the stop.
Still not entirely sure where I was going, I pulled the cord on the bus at what I originally thought was the right stop; definitely not the right stop. Two hours of steady walking later I could not believe my bad luck. I had followed the road with all of its curves and was completely lost. You see, out in my country our roads are built on a grid system. Most of the city follows this trend but every once in while you come across a doozie that weaves all over Mill Woods and takes you absolutely nowhere. Once more I was at a loss for what to do. So, I resorted to what I would do if I was in my hometown: I walked up to the backyard of one of the houses and asked for some directions. A young couple had been out for a stroll and were just getting home when I happened upon them. They also laughed at my dilemma and said that this road surely did not follow a grid of any sort. I asked them how to get to 34 St and before I know it they decided to go on another stroll and led me right to 34 St and 23 Ave. Before saying goodbye they asked me where I was heading. My answer: 34 St and the Whitemud. Laughing once more, they said it was quite a walk but at least it was in the same direction.
The walk to my aunt’s house took me another 45 mintues and by the time I got there I was exhausted and still frustrated at losing my wallet but I was totally awestruck. In the space of 3 hours I had met some of the sweetest and honestly thoughtful people I could ever hope to encounter on such a rotten day. And luckily for me, I was about to meet one more. Within 15 minutes of finally reaching my destination, my now plugged-in cell phone rang and a strange lady on the other end asked for me by name. Three minutes later I was on my way downtown. This lady had seen the boy on the bus with my wallet and when he left it sitting on the bench she quickly slipped it in her purse and called me as soon as she got home. My uncle drove me there to retrieve my wallet and the lady was so sweet with helpful advice to keep my identification safe and sound. To this day, I have never had the best and worst day imaginable all at the same time but I had quickly learned that Edmonton was definitely the City of Champions; especially the everyday champions of kindness!
