Almost 50 years ago, a stranger’s simple question gave her safety — and an example she’s tried to follow ever since.

In 2008, Kate was living in California when that state's voters passed Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. It made her feel unwelcome, as if her love for her partner was being demonized. One morning on her way to work, she saw an older man standing alone on the train platform, holding a sign against Prop 8. His small act of solidarity offered her comfort when she felt most vulnerable.

When he was 15, Eric lost his mother to suicide. When he returned to school, most adults avoided the subject — until his chorus director got up from the piano and gave him a wordless hug.

In high school, Elizabeth’s choir solo ended in embarrassment after her high note came booming through the mic. But an older student’s kind words restored her confidence just when she needed it.

Midway through her first semester of college, Silvana realized she didn't have enough money to finish out the school year. A professor stepped in to help in a surprising way.

A favorite from the archives: Minutes before an important job interview in a town hours from home, Oliver realized he’d forgotten his dress shirt. A stranger offered a kind and unexpected solution.

When she was in the sixth grade, Tanya's world was unraveling. One day, overcome with grief, she cried in class — and her teacher, Mrs. Welch, wrapped Tanya in a hug.

Earlier this year, Lara was walking her large Rottweiler, The Dude, when fireworks went off nearby. The Dude panicked, and Lara began to worry she wouldn't be able to manage the situation on her own. Then a stranger offered to help, ensuring both Lara and The Dude got home safely.

When Juli's car ran out of gas in the middle of the road, three men from a nearby homeless encampment rushed over to push her car to safety.

In 1980, backpacking alone to Greece, Elaine was attacked on a train. Two strangers stepped in, and stayed by her side for nearly the entire 12-hour ride.

After his dad left, Patrick’s guidance counselor taught him to tie a tie — and showed him he wasn’t alone. Years later, he passed that lesson on to his own son.

In 2005, Ashley's mother attempted suicide. She was hospitalized, and eventually passed away. In the days after her mother's death, Ashley struggled with guilt. She had been the one to request a "Do Not Resuscitate" order. Even though her mother had requested a DNR in the past, Ashley wondered if she'd made the right choice. Then a nurse made a phone call that changed Ashley's life.

In 1974, Surinder and his family came out of a pharmacy to discover their car was gone. Not knowing anyone else in town, he opened the phone book, and dialed a stranger with a familiar Indian last name. The man who answered not only helped them, but went on to play a surprising role in their lives.

While on vacation in Mexico, Julie had an accident on a waterslide and was on the brink of drowning. Then some strangers stepped in.

When Eileen’s husband came home from the hospital after a traumatic brain injury, he wasn’t the same. He couldn't do many of the household chores he used to take care of, like raking up the leaves in their yard. So one day, Eileen decided to try to get the chore done. As she picked up the leaves in her yard, crying, she felt a tap on her shoulder.

After spilling her lunch on the way to work, Kim received an unexpected gift from a stranger. The experience not only helped her through that day, but gave her a sense of belonging and community.

After Alek's father died in the hospital, a nurse shared his grief.

A favorite from 2022: After a mortifying fall in physics class, Julie remembers the unexpected gift she received from a fellow student.

Maureen was on the subway, and feeling down. Her sister had recently passed away, and the shock of the death made it difficult to be in public. But when a stranger sat down next to her and asked how she was doing, Maureen felt she could be honest. The conversation that followed is one that she will forever cherish.

As a college freshman, Karen was sometimes inconsiderate to her hallmate, Pam. So when Karen missed the bus to her choir performance, an hour away, she was surprised — and moved — when Pam came to her rescue.