A Stranger Who Saved My Life

I wish I knew the name of the stranger but I can honestly say, I never thought to ask.  I only know if that stranger had not been there, I would not be here today.

About seven years ago, my life was in turmoil.  I had been divorced for two years and my ex-husband was giving me difficulty again with child support.  He had money, but he just didn’t want to give it to me.  It wasn’t like it was alot...I received the whole sum of $70 each week for two kids.  It was tough, but I was managing, as long as he paid.

My children were 10 and 12 and were not happy with where we lived.  I’d moved them from a 6-acre lot with woods and privacy to the confines of a large trailer park.  Too many people and too many rules made them hate it.  They wanted to live with Dad and he was all for it. 

My heart was broken and I’d let them go so they wouldn’t hate me.  However, I hated myself for it and for my weakness.  I just wanted them happy and gave up my own in return.  For a month, I couldn’t sleep.  Then one night, I drove to the beach and looked out over the ocean.  Thoughts of suicide entered my mind and I wondered if anyone would miss me.

Before I got the courage to jump off the cliff to the water below, I had a stranger come up beside me.  He began to talk of the water and how he’d never been to this spot before.  He asked me about my life and listened to what I was feeling.  He even leaned over and patted my shoulder when I cried.  When the tears subsided, he asked if he could follow me back to town as he was lost and we shook hands goodbye.

I never did thank him but I was grateful for his presence and can only hope that he found his way home as I did.