Just an Hour to Last a Lifetime

Just an Hour to Last a Lifetime

 One hour of kindness. That's all it took. 

When I arrived in India for the very first time, although I was excited, I was also very nervous. I had always heard how men are towards women in India and I was anxious to see how true those rumors were. As I was landing, I prayed that I would meet someone within my first few hours in India that would bring me peace and excitement about my time there. 

Well, I had a 9 hour layover in the Delhi airport. For the first 7 hours or so, I just explored, spent time resting, and making videos. I didn't really talk to anyone during that time, so I wasn't expecting to before I took off. Towards the end of my layover, I went downstairs to find my gate. I saw a small coffee shop with a seating area near my gate, so I went to sit down and wait. A tall, young, Indian guy came over and sat in the chair next to me. He didn't say anything at first, so I grabbed my protein bar out of my backpack and took a bite. As soon as I was chewing I made eye contact with him and he reached his hand out and said, "Hi I am ...... What's your name?" I came to find that he was just a few years younger than me and already doing some pretty awesome stuff in life. For his privacy, I won't share, but his job was requiring him to fly around India. We talked the entire time until I had to board. He was so joyful and kind and made me feel so peaceful about the new place I was about to call home. He gave me some tips and tricks and told me the foods I should try.

Before I had to leave, I remembered that my aunt had given me a book to have people sign during my trip so I pulled it out. I explained that I had this book and really wanted him to be the first to sign it. So without hesitation, he chose the first page and signed his name with a note below that wrote:

"She made my day."

I was so excited to have my first signature, but I had no clue how special that would be. When I got up to go board, he said, "Let me at least carry your bags until you have to leave." So he did. He grabbed both of my backpacks and carried them all the way until I boarded. He didn't have to. But he did. And he left a mark on my heart. When I got on the plane, I messaged him on Instagram telling him I was so thankful for his kindness, as he had given me peace to start this big journey. 

From then on, he was such an encouragement to me. He messaged me all the time to make sure I was doing okay and would always ask how I was liking India. We talked about everything from his work to my new found desire to have an Indian wedding. I told him he would be invited and he agreed. He counted down the days with me as I prepared to go to Thailand, and asked that I would come back to visit one day. He followed my journey through Thailand, continuing to encourage me through comments and small messages. It wasn't until today that I realized those had come to a stop.

I just found out my sweet friend has passed away, and I am more heartbroken than you could ever imagine. I know I spent all but an hour with him, but the impact he made was enough to last a lifetime. On that day of June 6, 2025, he CHOSE to be kind to an American girl who had no clue what she was doing. He chose that and he didn't have to, and I will forever remember that kindness.

I ask that you will please pray for his sweet family as they grieve such an immense loss. I also ask that you will remember what he did, and seek opportunities to do the same. You may never see the person again, but you don't know what one small act of kindness can do to a person's heart for the rest of their life.

“Tomorrow is uncertain, but kindness is a gift you can give today.”

With a heavy heart,

Margeaux