I must confess that in my far past and not so distinct past I have been helped by both friends and sometimes complete strangers when I was stranded or very much in need. I am always reminded that though I was not asked to pay them back, I was asked to help someone else in need. Those people, with nothing but kindness in their hearts, knew I needed help and answered the call, and saved my tail on a few occasions.
Why am I mentioning this? Because on Monday this week, in a too dark parking lot at Walmart someone approached me asking for help. It's understandable that most women who are alone in a dark parking lot would freak if some strange man came up to them. I guess my time at work has helped me to become less afraid, and I hope nothing ever happens to change that. This man stayed a respectable distance away and apologized for startling me. His story?
" Mam, could you help me? I ran out of gas on the interstate and they kicked me out of the Sheetz parking lot for asking for help."
My reply " Yep, that is called panhandling and it is in most places against the law."
I looked at him as I was loading my groceries, and plucked the wallet out of my pocket.
" I don't have much, this $10 is the last of my cash."
" Thank you Mam, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this."
" No problem..but please spend it on gas or food."
" Yes Mam, thank you,."
And on that note he walked away across the parking lot. And I closed the trunk and pushed the cart to the buggy rack.
I don't know, it could have been a lie, but really I don't care. As much as I have received help it cannot hurt to give back. Was I concerned that he might take the wallet or hurt me? Umm, no. There really was nothing left in the wallet that would have been of use. And his eyes spoke volumes of need and no aggression. He never stepped closer to me. I deal with angry people everyday at work. They get in your face, they try to bully, they curse you..they don't beg for help and maintain a respectful distance.
It is a rare thing that I even have cash in my wallet. Maybe this was meant to happen. It's a small step towards giving back for all that I have been given in my life. We have been made so afraid to make contact with strangers that most of us live in our own little bubble watching out for the bad guys and missing those that would truly benefit from a kind word or charitable gesture. There are a great deal of people living on the edge of a paycheck, or not getting one at all. For all we know that could be us tomorrow. Would we want someone to curse at us or run away when we ask for help? You know this would be a much better world if all of us treated others as we would want to be treated.
k
Why am I mentioning this? Because on Monday this week, in a too dark parking lot at Walmart someone approached me asking for help. It's understandable that most women who are alone in a dark parking lot would freak if some strange man came up to them. I guess my time at work has helped me to become less afraid, and I hope nothing ever happens to change that. This man stayed a respectable distance away and apologized for startling me. His story?
" Mam, could you help me? I ran out of gas on the interstate and they kicked me out of the Sheetz parking lot for asking for help."
My reply " Yep, that is called panhandling and it is in most places against the law."
I looked at him as I was loading my groceries, and plucked the wallet out of my pocket.
" I don't have much, this $10 is the last of my cash."
" Thank you Mam, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this."
" No problem..but please spend it on gas or food."
" Yes Mam, thank you,."
And on that note he walked away across the parking lot. And I closed the trunk and pushed the cart to the buggy rack.
I don't know, it could have been a lie, but really I don't care. As much as I have received help it cannot hurt to give back. Was I concerned that he might take the wallet or hurt me? Umm, no. There really was nothing left in the wallet that would have been of use. And his eyes spoke volumes of need and no aggression. He never stepped closer to me. I deal with angry people everyday at work. They get in your face, they try to bully, they curse you..they don't beg for help and maintain a respectful distance.
It is a rare thing that I even have cash in my wallet. Maybe this was meant to happen. It's a small step towards giving back for all that I have been given in my life. We have been made so afraid to make contact with strangers that most of us live in our own little bubble watching out for the bad guys and missing those that would truly benefit from a kind word or charitable gesture. There are a great deal of people living on the edge of a paycheck, or not getting one at all. For all we know that could be us tomorrow. Would we want someone to curse at us or run away when we ask for help? You know this would be a much better world if all of us treated others as we would want to be treated.
k
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