A friend told me a story recently that stuck with me. Would I make the same bold move a stranger did for my friend, for someone I had never met and would likely never see again? Would you? Hear the story and judge for yourself.
During a wonderful trip to Paris the week before Christmas, I spent an afternoon at the newly renovated Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. My only previous visit to the magnificent church was many years ago. I couldn’t wait to see it again.
My wife and I arrived just as sunlight was streaming into the refurbished stained-glass windows. As we walked around, I tried to take as many pictures as I could to remind us of the beauty we were experiencing in person long after we got home to the States.
At one point, because I have a tremor that sometimes makes getting a still photo challenging, I asked a stranger if I could lean my elbow on a pillar he was standing against to photograph a bas relief with figures of the last supper. The gentleman said of course.
But even with the support of the pillar, I struggled to steady my hands to take the picture.
At this point, most of us would just do the best we could to steady the camera or abandon the shot altogether. But that’s not what happened.
The man who’d moved aside must have noticed my tremor. Before I knew it, he stepped up behind me, surrounding me with his arms and gently putting his hands on mine. He didn’t take my camera to take the picture for me. Instead, he patiently steadied my hands so that I could take the picture myself.
Let’s be honest. If a strange man put his arms around me from behind and grabbed my hands, even gently, my defenses would likely kick in. I’d try to move away from him…fast.
But my friend didn’t feel threatened. Somehow, she realized what he was doing and accepted the help. Human to human – assuming the best, instead of the worst, about each other.
I turned to thank him before he quietly disappeared into the crowd.
I was so touched by his gentle demeanor and unspoken assistance. He helped me in a way that honored that it was my photograph, not his. He noticed my physical limitations without judgment and offered help to overcome them. No fanfare, no words at all. Just the simplest action and off he went.
I will never forget this man’s kindness and thoughtfulness.
At a time when our fear of the other runs high and we often feel disconnected, this story of a quiet moment in Notre Dame moved me – not just for the generosity the man showed, but for the trust and openness it required from both people. We each walk through life with our own challenges, visible or not, and we all have opportunities to make it a little easier for someone else, often in ways that may seem small but mean the world in the moment.
In 2026, let’s try to notice more, assume the best about each other, and step forward with compassion – whether we’re offering a steady hand or humbling ourselves enough to accept one. After all, the world becomes a bit warmer every time we choose to connect, even with a stranger, in kindness.
Please share this post and remember – YOU MATTER! Notice when someone around you is struggling and make their day (and yours) by reaching out to help!
Many thanks to my good friend who shared her story!
