The best and worst of people on the metro


6/22/2012 2:28:00 PM

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most confident metro rider. I don't have the kind of push through, act tough, "I'm-getting-on-this-train-no-matter-what" swagger that comes naturally to DCers who ride public transportation constantly-I grew up in the hills of West Virginia, not the maze of DC.

But I'm getting better and growing more confident every time I swipe my pass and make my way into the great unknown that is the DC metro system. Every trip is an adventure.

Today's adventure was not much fun though.

After a morning that began less than desirably, I was anxious to get to The Washington Jewish Week office. As I made my transfer, my biggest thought was that I'd actually gone to the right platform, which made me finally a native, right?

The train arrived; I waited in line to get on. "Stand back, door closing," played over the speakers on the car I'm moments away from getting into. I went to step in when a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the train.

Suddenly, I found myself sitting on the platform of the metro, on my butt, the train pulling away from the station.

Someone had pulled me away from the train so they could get on and I was left behind, watching the red line go off towards my destination. I started crying. How could someone be so mean?

"Are you okay, honey?" a voice above me asked. I looked up to see a kind older woman bent over to check on me. Through my tears, I managed to tell her that I wasn't hurt, just startled and upset. A Metro Transit Police officer then came up to ask if I'd been hurt and if I'd mind filling out a statement. The lady walked with me over to the guard station, pulling out a water bottle and some napkins to clean my hands off with.

After signing a couple things, she walked me back to where her husband and grandchildren were waiting and offered to ride with me to my stop. I thanked her for her kindness and told her I'd be okay to make it the rest of the way by myself.

She gave me a hug and we said goodbye as she got off at the zoo while I continued on my way.

This morning I saw the best and worst of people. There are mean, awful people out there who want nothing better than to knock you on your butt. On the other hand, there are wonderful, kind people who are there to pick you back up and make sure you're okay.

And you know what, I am okay, thanks to a kind stranger who felt the need to help out a girl crying on the floor of the metro.

 

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