A Heartwarming Encounter: Why a Taxi Ride Moved Ira to Tears

Ira's Post:

This morning, I got into a GetTaxi cab and the driver greeted me with a 'Good morning,' asked how I was, and confirmed my destination. I cringed a little. Really? Before my coffee? In the only quiet minutes I get, I'm facing a chat—and in Russian! That's what went through my head. Not wanting to be 'the monster I am before morning coffee,' I replied politely and asked how he was.
The conversation flowed, and I discovered a pleasant and delightful person. We talked about immigrating to Israel, about his children's birthdays (turns out mine and his daughters' dates are close), and the fact that he’s retired.
'So you drive the taxi for fun?' I asked. 'Definitely not,' he charmingly replied. 'We have an autistic grandson, he’s eight. My wife and I have been raising him since he was two. He's amazing and attends a regular school. He even got a certificate of excellence this year (showing me a picture of a smiling boy with his certificate).  We make sure he's constantly involved in activities that develop him. He has a speech therapist, swimming lessons, occupational therapy, an English teacher, therapeutic riding lessons, and hydrotherapy. It’s not cheap, costing close to 9,000 shekels a month, and even my pension as a lieutenant colonel isn't enough, so I work as a taxi driver and my wife as a kindergarten teacher. We’re lucky we can provide all this for him; many can't.
At that moment, I already had goosebumps and tears in my eyes. What luck to meet such a wonderful person first thing in the morning and how lucky I feel to be able to give back, even a little—by sharing my encounter with him and recommending that you call him when you need a taxi. His name is Michael, and this is his number. I’d be happy if you use him.