The Kindness of Strangers: My Wild Journey from London to Malta (and a Lesson in Self-Kindness)
- kim14670
- Nov 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 5
The Morning It All Went Wrong
For most of us, the sunshine feels like a distant memory (well, with any warmth at least!). Over half-term, we went in search of some winter sun, our first as a family, and there’s a good reason I can still feel the warmth on my face while sipping an all-inclusive drink: I very nearly wasn’t there.
This is the story of how a shed load of kindness from strangers (and a hefty dose of self-kindness) turned an almost-disaster into one of my favourite family memories.
Picture this: a cold October morning, 4 a.m. alarm, three hours’ broken sleep between coughing fits after having picked up the latest lurgy and worrying I’d sleep through. We made it to the airport, organised, on time… and then IT happened.
"Hmm, I think we’re going to have a problem with this passport."
Cue sweaty armpits.
I’d checked the 3-month/6-month rule but not the 'new' (turns out not so new...) rule that passports are valid only 10 years from their issue date. My passport’s expiry said April 2026, but it was issued in July 2015. You can see where this is going…
Telling the kids was awful. The youngest cried so hard even chocolate buttons couldn’t fix it. The other quietly kept reading. Somehow, I didn’t lose it (yet). Then, right after waving them off, I promptly did, wailing like a banshee while exiting Gatwick departures the WRONG way!
That lasted approximately 2.5minutes as I kicked into 'woman on a mission...'.
A Lifeline from Samuel
Within minutes, I’d booked the earliest possible appointment at the London passport office, Monday at 8:50 a.m. (it was Friday - I couldn't wait that long!).
My 'plan' was to just rock up regardless at the passport office and try crying and begging (bearing in mind that as well as sleep deprived I was quite delirious on cold and flu medication to boot!). On my way, as the clock struck 8am I called the office. That’s when I met Samuel, my unexpected hero.
He gently told me begging wouldn’t work and quite firmly recommended NOT doing so (!) but he didn’t stop there.
“I can see an appointment in Peterborough today. Or Liverpool, could you get there?”
Liverpool it was. Samuel cancelled my London slot and booked me for 10:50a.m. up north. Before I knew it, I was sprinting through Euston with seconds to spare onto the 8.41am train making it in the nick of time.
The train set off and I finally exhaled. Wow, my family were in the air, and I was on a train to Liverpool. Not quite how I’d imagined the morning to pan out. My focus quickly shifted to a primal need for a cup of tea and something to eat (and maybe a few more cold and flu tablets). By some stroke of luck, the train shop was in the very carriage I’d legged it onto, and before I knew it, I was sat with a cuppa and a pot of porridge. Not going to lie, it wasn’t the best cuppa I’ve ever had (the tea bag split), but I was so exhausted I drank through it. Honestly, it was the least of my worries at that point!
Liverpool Heroes and a Little Luck
Just over two hours later, I arrived in Liverpool, late but still hopeful. My taxi driver, Ian (Everton, not Liverpool fan) got me to the passport office fast. My name wasn’t on the list, but after a nervous minute, I was waved through.
“Your passport will be ready at 3 p.m. love. Go and do some shopping.”
I nearly cried again.
Fuelled by caffeine, cold meds and blind optimism, I found a Pret, patched myself up with makeup, and felt marginally more human.
That’s when I met Lauren at Moorfield Station, my next hero. She helped me plan the next step of my route (more on this to come), sorted my tickets and sent me off with a smile (and a comical jaw drop moment when I regaled her with my story so far!)
By some form of miracle, by 2:45 p.m., I had a brand-new, valid passport in my hands.
Resilience, Risk-Taking and a Dash of Self-Kindness
With no flights available from Liverpool, Manchester or Leeds, I was about to hot foot it back to London for more options when I managed to book a last-minute flight from Birmingham (a mad dash - but I decided doable!).
Another train to New Street, connection to Birmingham International all in time for the 7:35 p.m. flight. Not being one to moan (!) though I have to say, 6pm on the Friday of half term is hardly the most peaceful time to be at an airport. At least none of the screaming children belonged to me; mine were already happily tucking into the all-inclusive buffet and living their best lives.
Once through, I treated myself to what was probably the best pint of my life (which went straight to my head after the day I'd had!). A slap-up dinner at Burger King followed (chicken royale meal, obviously) before my flight was finally called. An hour’s delay at the gate was just what I didn’t need at this stage; by then, I was so shattered I simply sat on the floor, as standing felt impossible.
I could have given up so many times that day. Gone home, felt sorry for myself, spent the weekend berating my mistake. But I didn’t. I spoke kindly to myself, stayed calm, and kept moving forward.
And that made all the difference.
What I Learned About the Kindness of Strangers
From Samuel to Ian to Lauren to Marco (my pre booked taxi driver airside in Malta arranged by my awesome husband) I met kindness at every turn, strangers who went out of their way to help.
And somewhere in between panic, trains and Pret coffee, I kept hold of something that I hold true within Kindness for Success and that's that kindness starts with ourselves.
Had I given in to self-blame or guilt, I may well have ended up at home or missing half the holiday wallowing. Instead, I practised self-kindness, resilience, and trust - in myself.
The Ending (and the Lesson)
Was it luck? Magic? Maybe a bit. But more than that, it was kindness and goodwill - from others, and from me, TO me.
Twelve hours later than planned, I landed in Malta. My family were asleep, the sun waiting for us in the morning. I’d made it. Exhausted, grateful, and reminded that self-kindness really can change how a story ends.
A Gentle Reflection
When life throws a curveball, who knows who your Samuels, Ians, Laurens and Marcos will be? And when everything seems to 'go wrong', can you be that same kind stranger, to yourself?
If you'd like to explore how to weave more self-kindness into your every day, why not start with my free downloadable '5 Shifts to Self-Kindness'.
Also, a kindness top from me to you, PLEASE check out the latest passport guidance - as much as this tale may have made for a good 'story' I'd recommend different ways to entertain! Check out the latest and greatest HM Passport Office - GOV.UK
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