The best thing that happened to me this year almost happened with a gun.

So. I live in Seattle and there was a street festival on the block I live (own a condo) on this weekend and at the end of the street, there was a children's play section. So I was on the street, less than 50 feet away and could see and hear kids playing. I have a small balcony that looks down on the street and I opened it to look at the party and saw and heard the kids playing. <br><br>Around that time, a gentleman comes walking down the street, clearly is distraught, almost crying. I can see the anguish in his eyes, and he comes up to my door and knocks. I open the door, he asks if he can come in. I'm a biker and former soldier, and I've been around the block a few times, so I said no. I instead offered to talk on the balcony.<br><br>We stepped out onto the balcony, and I asked him what was wrong. He told me that his whole life had fallen apart in the last week or so, that his wife had left him for another man, he'd been fired from his job, and that he wanted to die. I expressed sympathies and listened as he went on. He told me he'd been wandering around for the last few days but that he wanted to die at this point. I told him I couldn't let that happen, we talked for a few and I asked him if he had a weapon on him, and he said yes. I asked to see it, and he opened his jacket, to show me a small pistol. <br><br>I asked him gently if I could have it, and he gave it to me. We talked for a while longer, while I sat there with the gun, and I convinced him to let me call 911 for an ambulance, which he did. He was taken in by the authorities, and I was able to walk across the street and tell all those kids that they were safe. I spent the last few hours of the street festival watching those kids play with their parents from across the street, knowing that a tragedy was averted and that I probably saved a life, mine, or those childrens.<br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>Edit:<br><br>Wow. I'm really overwhelmed by the responses I've gotten. I understand that this was the right (and obvious) thing to do, but I'm still glad I did it. I'm glad that I'm not the kind of guy that is soemone can talk into committing suicide, and I will never be the kind of guy who intentionally would hurt or kill a kid. I felt really good for a while, but I didn't really expect this reaction. I thought this would be a mildly popular post, but wow. Thanks to everyone who's been so kind and generous.<br><br>Whoever offered me the gun, I'm sorry but I think I'm going to have to turn it down. I'm in Washington state, and even though I'm a gun owner, I feel like this house getting hit by a bullet is about the last thing I need. I love guns, but I think the last thing I need is to have my house shot up. The gentleman in question was definitely not in his right mind, and I think that's the best place to leave it.<br><br>To those who are praising me, thank you. I didn't do anything that any decent and empathetic person wouldn't do. I really believe that if you see someone in need, you owe them your time. I'm glad I was able to spend some time with that gentleman and make sure he and the kids in the street were safe. If you ever see someone like that, please take the time to talk to them, hear their story, and listen to what they have to say. It may change your life, I know it changed mine.<br><br>Again, thank you all.