When a stranger turned into a guardian angel

Sometimes, the most surprising places are where the most meaningful acts of kindness come from. I saw firsthand how one person's kindness can save a life this past Wednesday afternoon.
While I was driving west on I-40, the edges of my world started to blur. I knew right away that something was wrong because my blood sugar was dropping to dangerous levels. I knew I was in trouble when my thoughts got foggy and my hands started to shake. I saw a Burger King at the next exit through the fog of hypoglycemia.

When I pulled into the drive-through, I had a hard time putting my words together as I placed my order. Speaking had become very hard for me, but I was able to tell the voice on the speaker that I was diabetic and really needed food. What happened next made me believe in people again.

When I got to the first window to pay, I was shocked to see Tina Hardy, a Burger King employee, running—not walking, but running—toward the front of my car. She didn't think twice about squeezing between my car and the building to get me a small cup of ice cream. At that moment, this stranger became my guardian angel.

Tina said, "My husband is also diabetic," and her eyes showed real concern. "I could tell you needed help right away."

Those few words told us everything we needed to know about Tina. She didn't just see a customer; she saw someone who needed help. She didn't do what she was supposed to do; she did what she felt was right. She knew what to do in an emergency because of her own experiences, and her compassion made her act right away.

After I paid for my order, Tina told me to park across the driveway so she could keep an eye on me, even though she had never met me before that day. As I sat in my car, slowly eating and feeling my blood sugar stabilize, I was overwhelmed not just by how good I felt physically, but also by how kind this amazing woman was who had taken care of me.

When I felt strong enough to drive again, I waited for the restaurant to slow down and then went back to Tina's window. I wanted her boss to know how great of an employee they had. As I told Tina's story to her boss, I could see the pride on his face. This wasn't just good customer service; it was the best of human decency.

Tina Hardy didn't have to care. She didn't have to do more than what was expected of her. There was no need for her to put herself in danger to help someone she didn't know. But she did all of these things because, as she put it, "she could tell I needed help."

Tina reminded me that kindness is still alive and well in the most everyday moments, even when the world seems busy and disconnected. Her quick thinking and selfless actions not only helped me get better after a medical emergency, but they also made me believe again in the goodness of everyday people.

Not only should Burger King's corporate offices thank Tina Hardy, but so should everyone who believes in the power of kindness. She wasn't just a fast-food worker for those few important minutes on a Wednesday afternoon. She was a hero in a uniform, showing that amazing people can be found in the most ordinary places.

A stranger can sometimes remind us of what it really means to care for each other. Thanks for being that reminder, Tina Hardy.