I’m someone who is easily moved. Once, while watching the curtain fall on the Kirov Ballet’s Swan Lake, I found myself in tears. Another time, I was watching a documentary about Roger Bannister breaking the “impossible” record — running a mile in under four minutes — and I was so overwhelmed I could hardly speak.
I’ve realized that whenever I witness a moment that reflects the brilliance of human nature, I’m deeply touched. It doesn’t have to come from a famous figure, nor does it need to be a grand act.
One such moment occurred a few years ago on a snowy, rainy evening when my wife and I visited a friend’s home for dinner in New York City. As we hurried toward the yard, I noticed a car pulling out of a tight roadside parking space — an incredibly rare find in Manhattan. Another car was patiently waiting to back into it. Just then, a third car suddenly shot forward from behind and took the spot.
“How selfish,” I thought.
My wife went inside, but I stayed on the street, determined to confront the man who had stolen the space. He was still sitting in the car.
A fight over a parking space
“Hey!” I called out. “That parking space belonged to the guy in front,” I said, pointing toward the other vehicle. The driver turned to glare at me, clearly angry. But I felt I was standing up for what was right, and I wasn’t about to back down.
“Mind your own business,” he snapped.
“No,” I replied. “You saw he was waiting for that parking space.”
We quickly got into a heated argument about the parking space. Then, relying on his size, the man suddenly threw a punch that knocked me onto the hood of his car. He followed with two hard slaps. I wasn’t his match physically, but I thought the other driver would surely come to help. What broke my heart was watching him drive away without hesitation, even after seeing what had just happened.
The man who hit me walked off. I wiped the blood from my face and headed back to my friend’s house, feeling humiliated — not just from the beating, but as a man and a former Marine. My wife and friends noticed the look on my face and immediately asked what had happened. I could only mutter that I’d gotten into an argument over a parking space. They sensed that there was more to the story, but chose not to press further.
Not long after, the doorbell rang. My heart sank. I thought the man had come to make more trouble. He knew where I’d gone and had even threatened to “deal with me” further. Fearing he’d cause a scene, I rushed to the door before anyone else could get to it.
Sure enough, it was him.
“I came to apologize,” he said quietly. “When I got home, I asked myself — what right did I have to act that way? I’m ashamed of how I behaved. The only thing I can say is… the Brooklyn Navy Yard is shutting down. I’ve worked there for years, and today I was laid off. My mind was spinning, and I lost control. I hope you’ll accept my apology.”
Years have passed, but I still remember that man. I believe it took tremendous strength and courage to return and apologize. In that moment, I once again saw the brilliance of human nature.
To this day, I still remember the way he said goodbye — and how, once again, I couldn’t hold back my tears.
Translated by Cecilia
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