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People you met briefly but won't forget?

23 replies

notyourmummy · 29/04/2020 07:40

Does anyone else regularly find themself thinking about someone they met really briefly, but can't forget? I've got 2.
When my DS was a month old, he was in hospital for a few days. There was a baby in the next room who was a few months older and had 2 broken legs. He was in double traction and had no visitors the whole time we were there, the nurses put a radio on for him, and he cried constantly. I often wonder how life's panned out for him...
The other one was a lass who was in my dorm at boarding school. We were in Y7, and only a few weeks into senior school, so nobody really knew each other yet. One day in the middle of a lesson our house mistress came to collect her, and we saw them walking over to the sick bay together. That evening we were all called together and told that she wasn't well and had gone to a hospital for treatment for a few weeks. The next day, instead of Maths first thing, our form tutor sat us down and talked about eating disorders, which convinced half the class that's what she was in hospital with. But she never came back. Her bedspace was cleared a few weeks later and neither our house mistress nor the teaching staff could or would tell us what had happened to her....
I often find myself wondering what happened to both of these young people, does anyone else do similar??

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Naithnira · 29/04/2020 07:52

At 18 my best friend started dating a very possessive girl who stopped him talking to me and other friends. He married her at 19 and she gradually alienated him from his own parents, grandparents and brothers too. I hadn’t seen him for ten years but one day I saw him from a distance, so I phoned and left a polite friendly message on his answering machine saying I saw you walk by the cafe when I was having lunch, how are you, would be nice to catch up etc. His wife called me back at 2am (obviously timed to cause the most upset and disruption) and screamed at me hysterically down the phone, making violent threats etc. I haven’t tried to contact him since, it’s now been over 20 years since I last saw him. It makes me very sad, he was like my brother. But he doesn’t even speak to his actual brothers never mind me.

TheDrsDocMartens · 29/04/2020 08:11

When I was in reception class a girl left after her Father killed her Mother. She moved to London. As an adult I’ve often wondered what happened to her.

Pinkarsedfly · 29/04/2020 08:15

A man I met on a residential course changed my life. He slid me his plate when I didn’t have one.

That simple act made me realise my marriage was appalling and I needed to end it. We really bonded that week. Absolutely nothing happened other than friendship, and I never ever saw him again, but he changed my entire life.

Just because he slid his plate to me.

Stronger76 · 29/04/2020 09:00

The midwife who spent an entire half an hour helping me to get my 4 day old ds to latch on. We'd been in hospital nearly a week, horrid birth, zéro sleep, baby blues turning into pnd. She was lovely. Joan.

And Val. Macmillan volunteer. Was wandering around the hospital in a daze after just waving dp off into theatre for surgery for cancer. She asked me if I needed anything and I just crumpled into her. I wonder if these folk ever realise what a massive impact they have on others.

AlovelybitofsquirrelJackie · 29/04/2020 09:02

After a blazing row with my then H I stormed out of the pub determined to have a good night on my own. I stopped a bloke and asked if he knew the way to G-A-Y. He said 'fuck it, I've not been there since I came out, I'll come with you!'. We had the most amazing night possible. He was good fun and made sure I was alright as I was quite drunk. Made sure I got in a proper licensed taxi and I never saw him again. I'd love to know how he's getting on and how I will never forget that night and his kindness.

Rockbird · 29/04/2020 09:05

At primary school in the early 80s a girl joined us for about a term from Iraq. I befriended her and we became best friends but then at the end of that term she went back to Iraq. I often wonder what happened to her.

Fespital · 29/04/2020 11:13

@Pinkarsedfly that does sound like a lovely simple gesture. What do you think in particular made it such a lightbulb moment for you?

Sheldonoscopy · 29/04/2020 12:18

A woman I met on a train. She was in a wheelchair and my buggy was occupying the space it needed (having been told to put it there by conductor). I quickly moved it and we struck up a conversation in which we discovered her dh had the same rare condition my son did. Our train was delayed due to a jumper so a 2hr journey turned into 4+.
She thanked me for seeing her and talking to her rather than her carer as so often happened to her which brought tears to my eyes.

We exchanged numbers as she was going to visit her dh in hospital and wished each other well. Weeks later she text me to say her dh had passed away and my heart broke for her. We had a few messages exchanged and I asked for her address to send something to.
Sent her flowers, condolences card and she messaged when she got them. Never heard from her since.

Often think of her, hope she’s ok and wish nothing but good for her and her family.

Pinkarsedfly · 29/04/2020 12:40

Fespital it was just the fact that I didn’t have to ask for help. I just said, ‘oh I don’t have a plate’ and, without missing a beat, he slid his over to me then got up to find one for himself.

I wasn’t used to my needs coming first. I wasn’t used to someone putting themself out for me. I wasn’t used to someone wordlessly taking charge and letting me relax.

So much in one single little gesture that I doubt he would even remember.

Enko · 29/04/2020 12:54

I had been to music band with my 3 you great (dd3 was a tiny baby) and as I was getting them into the car by the road I was listening to a answer machine message from my brother telling me my granddad had died. I crumbled crying put like a hurt animal and suddenly this man was there checking if I was ok. He stayed with me for a few minutes got me into my car and then said "I got to go" before walking back to a bus he was driving he had stopped because he saw me crumble and left his passengers to check on me. Its 16 years ago and I have never forgotten how that piece of kindness helped me at getting one of the hardest news I ever got.

Enko · 29/04/2020 12:55

Youngest not you greet

HollowTalk · 29/04/2020 12:56

I love this thread.

MellowBird85 · 29/04/2020 13:09

Went to Spain with two friends for a girls weekend when we were in our mid twenties. Got talking to a lovely man called Miguel on the beach. He brought us a little ice bucket of beers the next day and we talked about life, food, family, all sorts. Two years later we went to the same place and by some miracle we bumped into him again (the beach was huge and we weren’t even in the same spot as before). As the sun set he did us a little BBQ. He was just the friendliest, most laidback person Smile

Imohsotired · 29/04/2020 13:22

I spent a few years going back and forth to Bangkok every few months for a project. I stayed in the same hotel and every single night I saw a fabulous, super glam lady in the club lounge. I guess she was in her 70s and was always immaculate with sleeked back grey hair, Chanel style suit and pearl jewelry. I tried to chat to her but we only got as far as pleasantries. My husband came on one of the trips and he was equally taken by her. I often wonder if she is still there and what led her to live in a 5* hotel in Bangkok.

Fespital · 29/04/2020 14:21

@Pinkarsedfly he saw you, saw your needs and met them without even thinking twice. I can see how that could be a wake up moment for you. I hope all is well now Flowers

ParkheadParadise · 29/04/2020 14:31

The man who found my dd.
She was murdered 4 years ago. This man was returning from nightshift when he discovered her. He covered her with his coat and stayed with her until the police came.
He never once spoke to the papers or reporters and he had to deal with the court case. He attended her funeral with his wife.
We finally got to meet him before the trial started.
I will NEVER forget what he done for dd that day. It wasn't till afterwards that I realised his life had also been affected by what happened to him that day.
I will always be grateful and will never forget him.

HollowTalk · 29/04/2020 16:02

@ParkheadParadise I'm so sorry you lost your daughter. You've gone through the very worst thing anyone can go through and I hope you find each day that passes a little easier.

Pinkarsedfly · 29/04/2020 16:05

Fespital all grand, thank you. Happily married to my second husband. Took a bit of doing, but I got here! Flowers

notyourmummy · 29/04/2020 19:13

@ParkheadParadise I'm so sorry that you lost your daughter in such awful circumstances, but what a lovely man.

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notyourmummy · 29/04/2020 19:15

@Imohsotired wow, how mysterious! And glamorous!!

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notyourmummy · 29/04/2020 19:17

@Enko what a lovely man, really makes you realise there are some good people about.

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notyourmummy · 29/04/2020 19:18

@Pinkarsedfly I'm glad it's all worked out for you in the end.

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Windyatthebeach · 29/04/2020 19:22

We had a lovely day out at a Yorkshire safari park a couple of years ago. Ds3 was lagging behind and a lovely lady offered him a ride on her mobility scooter! He is very shy and we were stunned to see him climb aboard!! We chatted to her and her dh for a good 20 mins and honestly I wanted them to adopt us all!! Dc x4 have no gps and for a few mins they enchanted this couple and them us!! Left quite tearful tbh.
They had no family which was such a shame imo..

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