The Bike Story: The Power of Generosity, Kindness and Connection

3 min read.

The power of generosity, kindness, and human connection never ceases to amaze me. Life, with its ups and downs, can often be challenging. But when the goodness of humanity shines through, it’s nothing short of inspiring. I’ve been fortunate to experience the warmth and generosity of many people who have touched my life in profound ways, from strangers offering a helping hand to friends who became family.

Take, for instance, when my family was camping through Europe on a shoestring budget. Strangers saw us stranded on the side of the road when our car broke down, and without hesitation, they welcomed us into their homes. Their generosity during such a vulnerable moment still amazes me.

Or my college roommate, Lisa, whose kindness made my cultural transition from Europe to the U.S. so much easier. She didn’t just help me adjust—she became a trusted guide and dear friend. But it didn’t stop there. Lisa’s family, with open arms, took me in during holidays, family weekends, and even on a week-long vacation when I couldn’t afford to travel home. They became my second family, and their warmth and generosity gave me a sense of belonging I will never forget.

Similarly, our former neighbors, Merrilee and Mark, went beyond just being friends—they became an extension of our family. We simply love them! They were like an extra set of grandparents to our children, showering them with love and care. Even though they moved away a few years ago, their impact on our family, especially our kids, is still felt to this day. Our children, remember the playdates, the hours of reading, the baking and the arts and crafts days.

And it didn’t end there. In our current neighborhood, we’ve been fortunate to have wonderful friends like Gale and Jimmy, who’ve always stepped in when we needed help. Whether it’s picking up the kids when both my husband and I were stuck in work calls, or taking care of our turtle, Leonardo, while we travel, they’ve always been there. And then there’s our friend Shana, who graciously took in our kids during a family emergency.

Today, another beautiful story of kindness, empathy, and the power of community unfolded before me.

A month ago, my son left for college—a transition that wasn’t easy for me, but seeing him thrive has been reassuring. As he settled in, he mentioned the need for a bike to get around the sprawling campus. My brother, who lives in Poland, remembered that my son had always loved his bike and generously offered it to him. While it was a heartfelt gesture, the logistics of getting a bike from Europe to the U.S. quickly became daunting and expensive. It seemed easier to just buy a new one, but my son really wanted THAT bike. As he rarely asks for anything, we decided to explore all options. He deeply loves and adores my brother, his favorite uncle Mikolaj, so he cherished that bike. Anything from my brother is always a treasured possession.

Determined to make it happen, I explored every option, but each one hit a dead end. Just as I was about to tell him we might have to wait until next summer to get the bike, I met up with my friend Barbara in Chicago. Over dinner, she casually mentioned she was flying to Poland for a wedding. A lightbulb went off. I hesitated for a moment but then asked if she’d be open to bringing the bike back with her, quickly adding, “No pressure at all!” Without missing a beat, Barbara enthusiastically agreed.

The logistics were swiftly set in motion. My brother disassembled the bike in a hurry, as he was traveling the next day, and dropped it off at his restaurant near the train station. The next day, my family shrink-wrapped it for extra protection. The bike was supposed to be sent on the train, as my family lives about four hours from Warsaw. Then we got lucky—our longtime friend Tomek, nicknamed “The Fly” since our teenage years, offered to drive the bike to Warsaw as he was traveling by car anyway. Once there, it was handed off to another childhood friend, Jarek, who graciously agreed to deliver it to Barbara at the airport. It was a beautiful chain of kindness that made the impossible seem possible.

Jarek, who didn’t even have a car, rented one just to ensure the bike reached the airport in time. He waited with Barbara as she checked it in, in case there were any issues. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and the bike was on its way! It felt like the most important part of the mission was accomplished, because the flight she was about to get on was direct from Warsaw to Chicago. Jarek left the airport.

As fate would have it, Barbara’s flight was canceled an hour later, and I thought, “Here we go—the nightmare begins!” But Jarek acted swiftly. Instead of waiting in traffic, he biked back to the airport, knowing it would be faster than taking an Uber. He was right there to help Barbara navigate the complicated rebooking process in Polish, showing up just when she needed him most.

She waited anxiously as luggage after luggage came through, but no sign of the bike. Just as nerves were kicking in, the bike finally appeared and Jarek joined her at that point. Relieved, they moved into the customer service line, which was painfully long. After hours of waiting and then negotiating with the airline, which initially tried to rebook her two days later, Barbara finally secured a flight through Amsterdam. Jarek joked that maybe Barbara should’ve just brought the bike as a carry-on, given how vulnerable it was to getting lost during the journey. After all, in Amsterdam, everyone bikes!

The bike was checked in again that evening. Amid the chaos, something unexpected happened—both Barbara and Jarek, unbeknownst to each other, asked me if the other was single. Turns out, they were! Jarek even joked that it would’ve been better to have the whole bike saga at the start of Barbara’s trip so they could have spent more time together. When the bike was checked and it was clear that Barbara was staying in a hotel, Jarek made sure Barbara got into a cab to the hotel, just 12 minutes from the airport. Then returned to pick up the bike he’d left by the entrance. To his surprise, two policemen were waiting for him. Apparently, leaving a bike unattended and chained to a pole at the airport was illegal, and they informed him the fine would be $150—a steep fine, especially in Poland. Jarek explained the whole situation, sharing the absurdity of the ordeal he’d just been through, but the officers were unrelenting at first. Luckily, the story must have softened them because they eventually let him off with just a warning.

Barbara and Jarek agreed to meet for supper at her hotel to close out the evening. But when Jarek biked there, he realized there were two hotels with the same name, and he was at the wrong one! Thankfully, as someone who’s in great shape from a lifetime of dancing, he simply laughed it off, turned around, and biked another 25 minutes to the correct location.

They finally met up—albeit briefly, as Barbara had an early flight the next morning. Despite the language barrier, they shared a meal, striking up a connection and friendship amidst the chaos of the day.

The next day, Barbara flew to Chicago, and I eagerly awaited her arrival at the airport. I canceled my meetings to ensure I was there to pick up the precious cargo and thank my friend! Against all odds, the bike made it safely. Two weeks later (yesterday) my husband flew to visit our son for Parents’ Weekend and I was with my daughter. What are the odds that these happen at the same time in two different locations?! Now, he has his cherished bike on campus, and his joy is infectious. He’s amazed that this seemingly impossible operation worked, and his gratitude is palpable.

The kindness of people never fails to inspire me. From friends and family to strangers, their generosity has shaped my life in ways I can’t begin to measure. And who knows? Perhaps something even more beautiful will come from Jarek and Barbara’s serendipitous connection—as they continue to talk.

As I reflect on these moments, especially during times of stress, I’m reminded of the incredible people who have made such a difference in my life. My heart is warmed by their kindness, and I remain a steadfast believer in the goodness of humanity.