We Saw Her is a Route 66 story about noticing a young woman in trouble, stepping in with kindness, and remembering that some people just need to be seen.
We were somewhere along Route 66, just as the day gave in to evening. That quiet hour when the air cools faster than expected and the shadows stretch longer than you think they should. Mary and I were walking, not far, just enough to let the stillness settle in around us.
That’s when we saw her.
What Stopped Us Cold – We Saw Her
She was sitting cross-legged on a blanket on the cold concrete. A single cup by her side. Real young. Alone. Hair tangled. No sign of a backpack or destination.
But it was the sign that made us stop:
“Will do anything for food.”
Not “hungry.” Not “need help.”
Anything.
That one word hit like a brick in the chest.
A Parent’s View of We Saw Her
Mary saw it first, and I saw it through her eyes—not just as a passerby, but as a parent. We have daughters. In that moment, the fear of what could happen to a girl that age, desperate and unseen, landed hard.
Mary asked gently, “Are you asking for money or food?”
“Food,” she said quickly, almost defensive. Then came the cough—low, heavy, ragged. The kind that makes a mother’s heart seize. Mine did. Mary’s did too.
What Kindness Looked Like
We didn’t wait. There was a McDonald’s around the corner. We got her a full meal and supersized the orange juice—because sometimes kindness means a hot sandwich and enough vitamin C to fight off the ache of the world.
We brought it back. She didn’t hesitate. She was eating before “thank you” even fully left her mouth.
We said a few kind things. The sort you say when you want someone to feel safe, even for just five minutes.
Then we walked away. Slowly. Quietly.
We held hands without speaking. We didn’t need to turn our heads to know we were both crying.
She needed to be seen. And we saw her.
✨ Roadside Reflection – We Saw Her
There are signs on the road that warn of curves ahead. This one warned of something else—the kind of hunger that can break a soul, the kind of desperation that invites danger.
If your heart still hurts for a stranger, hold onto it. When grace gives you the chance to step in, even with something as simple as a sandwich, don’t walk past.
The smallest kindness can reroute someone’s worst day.
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More about Route 66: History of U.S. Route 66.