Single dad traveling with daughter shares how a kind act by a train station porter made him feel heard

Parents often have a tough time managing kids outside of their homes and there aren't many facilities in public spaces designed to make things easier for them. Moreover, for single parents who need to look after their children all by themselves, things get slightly more challenging. A single dad, Kier Gaines, was struggling with his daughter while traveling when a stranger came forward as an angel in disguise. Gaines was so moved by his selfless act and thoughtfulness that he ensured the man got the appreciation that he deserved. The dad mentioned that he was traveling with his daughter and she wanted to use the washroom.

Being a male, he wasn’t comfortable going into the female washroom so he took his little girl to the men’s washroom. Unfortunately, on visiting the men’s washroom, the dad-daughter duo found it in a unhygienic state. “We go into the men’s bathroom and this homeless guy comes out of the stall and it smells terrible. He was doing what he had to do, not his fault,” the dad remarked. However, seeing the father was in discomfort, a man approached him out of the blue. “One of the porters who cleans here saw me and went, ‘Hey bro, you want me to hit the bathroom and clean that up for you?’” the dad recalled. 

The dad quickly agreed and thanked the porter for his help as he couldn’t be more grateful for the man noticing his distress and coming to his aid out of kindness. In a conversation that followed, the dad learned that the man, too, had a 5-year-old daughter and that was why he could understand what Gaines felt. “I understand how hard it is to be a dad and get your daughter in a clean bathroom and make them feel comfortable and safe,” the attendant said. Gaines was relieved and overjoyed at the same time. He couldn’t contain his happiness after feeling seen and heard by the empathizing porter and fellow parent.

“Hey man, you know that chest-tingly feeling like you could cry? I felt that man, I felt that,” he said. “It validated so many things I felt frustrated with,” he added. Gaines went on to explain how tough it is for a man to vent due to the stereotypical mindset of people. Having someone who could relate to him and help him out, made his day. “Nobody wants to hear a dad complaining but for that man to understand that I was struggling and clean that stall for my baby, man, it meant the world to me,” he exclaimed. 

The dad went on to share more about the guy so people could take note of his kindness and thank him. “I appreciate the brother, his name is Geroge. He works here at the Pennsylvania Amtrak Station. Dark-skinned brother with two braids, if you see him, tell him he’s doing an amazing job,” he said. In his caption, the dad wrote, “There is no such thing as a small gesture. Put some light in the world, we could use more of that.” Responding to the incident in the comments, user @artbyminga wrote, “I really hate that our men have to suffer in silence. I'm glad George was there!” Another user, @senseandedibility, added, “More of the George’s and fathers who share their struggles. May we see them and support them always.”

You can follow Kier Gaines (@kiergaines) on TikTok for more content on parenting and lifestyle.