Dear Mr Kind Gentleman,
IT was summer 1972. I had just sat my Leaving Certificate in the local convent school and had been working in the Civil Service in Dublin for three months before I started as a student nurse in St James’s Hospital. Eighteen years of age from a rural parish in the Midlands, I was very shy, respectful and in awe of the big world in which I was living and working in Dublin city. I was but a few weeks in Dublin and had learned just the route to walk to work from my accommodation and to make my way to Connolly Station to catch the train home each Friday evening. That was the extent of my knowledge of Dublin; if I went off that route I was lost.
It was Friday evening. I dashed from work near St Stephen’s Green to the station in time for the train. As it pulled out of the station I realised I was on the wrong train. I was terrified, I knew no one, I was alone. There were no mobile phones then. My parents didn’t even have a landline. I was totally lost, alone and scared. The train went faster. I stood up in the carriage and I said to everyone around me, “Is this not the Longford train?” They were all strangers; mine was an involuntary cry of despair.
You stood up, Mr Kind Gentleman, and said: “I will help you.” You took me off the train at the next stop which was Tara Street and you walked/ran with me back to Connolly (Amiens Street then), walking alongside the railway tracks as it was the only way we could get there in time for my correct train which was due to pull out in a few minutes. You took me to the correct platform and I got on the Longford train seconds before it pulled out.
I have no recollection if I even thanked you as I was in shock and just moved on autopilot, totally trusting you to take me safely to my destination. I know you had now missed your own train home but had put your own evening aside in this total act of generosity.
It is 45 years ago since that evening — much has happened since. I started my nurse training later in 1972 and have spent a long and happy life nursing. I often think of you and your kindness to a stranger. Thank you so much. I could never thank you as we did not exchange names or addresses but when I saw this letter opportunity in the paper, I thought maybe you would see it. As I recall you were wearing a grey suit and seemed to be going home from work.
I wish you well. You were my guardian angel. Thank you again.
Kind regards, Margaret
Name and address with Editor