Have you ever had one of those bizarre moments that make you reevaluate things?

So the other week I was in a fairly dark place. Like dark. Very dark. Not actively planning to do anything, but dark enough to actively make plans for it.

But, life had to go on, so I was still dragging myself through the motions of work and life in general. I’ve suffered depression my entire life, and as such I’ve gotten pretty good at masking it from all but those who know me best.

So I was driving Uber and putting on a very convincing smile and holding nicely upbeat conversations with the passengers, and doing so well enough that the tips were pretty good for the day. Near the end of the work day I picked up a very nice old lady from PT and was driving her to her apartment, holding a very pleasant conversation about family and the ups and downs of it.

At the end of the ride she was wishing me a pleasant day and sharing hopes of getting me as a driver again sometimes etc, when she suddenly stopped as she was half way out of the car. She turned back to me with a sudden seriousness on her face and said “I don’t mean to get religious on you or anything, and I’m not sure if this will make any sense to you, but God wants me to tell you that he doesn’t make garbage people…no one is disposable, and everyone has worth. So hang in there…it will get better.”

With that said, her expression brightened again and she once again wished me a pleasant day as she exited the car.

A very strange moment for me, and I’ve been mulling it over ever since.