I'll tell you that I experienced something similar.
I was 15 years old and walking on my way to school. I passed down a street feeling very down because I wasn't looking forward to school and meeting buliies. I was picked on every day. As I was walking, I noticed a small "tornado" about my height (5ft 5 inches), spinning on the other side of the road. It was picking up leaves and came to meet me. I felt a little whoosh and suddenly a calmness. It disappeared. That seemed to me a spirit giving me a hug.

It is lovely Howla Dark, that it brought you comfort.
I believe spirit can interact in what seems mysterious ways, but this is only because there is more that we don't know then we do

Hello

Saw one today in the morning walking in the park with my sister and her dog. The leaves were going around like a vortex whirling alongside while we were walking. Lasted for about 5-10 seconds - pretty amazing.

Lepus