The Kindness of Strangers

[Misty_Morning]

I'm somewhat of a paradox.

I firmly believe that folks should self-sufficient.

I get so tired of my siblings thinking that our nearly 86 year old father should ALWAYS help them and their kids and their grandkids out of the financial dire straights that they have gotten themselves into......repeatedly.

And I am sitting here thinking of the times that someone has given me a hand when I needed it the most.

Maybe I was broken down on the highway and they stopped to assist (has happened several times).

Maybe they assisted me when I was lost in a big city and could become prey to those without a conscience.

I have been in so many..."Maybe" situations....

I just want to say thank you to all the folks that have shown me kindness and love...without even knowing me.




And you?


Ever been there? On one end or the other?


It takes alot to reach out...especially in todays society.

 

[JagFarlane]

I'm somewhat of a paradox.

I firmly believe that folks should self-sufficient.

I get so tired of my siblings thinking that our nearly 86 year old father should ALWAYS help them and their kids and their grandkids out of the financial dire straights that they have gotten themselves into......repeatedly.

And I am sitting here thinking of the times that someone has given me a hand when I needed it the most.

Maybe I was broken down on the highway and they stopped to assist (has happened several times).

Maybe they assisted me when I was lost in a big city and could become prey to those without a conscience.

I have been in so many..."Maybe" situations....

I just want to say thank you to all the folks that have shown me kindness and love...without even knowing me.




And you?


Ever been there? On one end or the other?


It takes alot to reach out...especially in todays society.

I always try to help out those that I can help out. To me I feel that its a huge personal reward seeing someone else be helped out.

And currently on the recieving end of a lot of help. Even just the few words of encouragement I recieve here are very helpful indeed

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I always try to help out those that I can help out. To me I feel that its a huge personal reward seeing someone else be helped out.

And currently on the recieving end of a lot of help. Even just the few words of encouragement I recieve here are very helpful indeed

Some would think that diving into the sea to rescue a drowning old person is foolish. After all, they don't have that much longer to live, anyway. but how often do people drown themselves in the attempt?

Should a toddler get lost in the forest, the parents can always have another, can't they? Instead hundreds of strangers gather at risk of their own lives to hunt and keep on hunting long after all hope of survival is lost.

Crazy? Illogical? It's what makes us human. It's what may carry us to the very stars themselves. Take the help offered you . . . then pass it on, pass it on.

 

[SeaCat]

I am one of those strange people. I am willing to take my life into my hands and pull over to help someone broken down on the side of the road. Maybe it's because I have been there myself. (There is no feeling quite like sitting on the side of the road with your car or bike broken down watching everyone blow past you.)

I am more than willing to serve food at a shelter.

I have been known to deliver food to a shelter that needs it.

When I lived on Cape Cod I used to make it a habit to drive down to the Marine Corps Toy's for Tots center at night with several thermoses of coffee for the guys and gals there in the cold.

The one thing I will not do is place my wife at risk.

Then again I have been down and know the value of a helping hand.

Cat

 

[Stella_Omega]

My parents have been putting money into my and my husband's business. A LOT. It keeps me the fuck up at night.

In contrast, my sister will not ask for a penny from them, unless she can pay them back within four weeks. That, also, keeps me the fuck up at night.

 

[Misty_Morning]

My parents have been putting money into my and my husband's business. A LOT. It keeps me the fuck up at night.

In contrast, my sister will not ask for a penny from them, unless she can pay them back within four weeks. That, also, keeps me the fuck up at night.

there is a difference in investing a child's ( no matter what age) future and bailing them out repeatedly.

Your parents seem to to have faith in you.

This is good. Take it and make it your own.

And remember to thank them, even after they are gone.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I'm somewhat of a paradox.

I firmly believe that folks should self-sufficient.

I get so tired of my siblings thinking that our nearly 86 year old father should ALWAYS help them and their kids and their grandkids out of the financial dire straights that they have gotten themselves into......repeatedly.

And I am sitting here thinking of the times that someone has given me a hand when I needed it the most.

Maybe I was broken down on the highway and they stopped to assist (has happened several times).

Maybe they assisted me when I was lost in a big city and could become prey to those without a conscience.

I have been in so many..."Maybe" situations....

I just want to say thank you to all the folks that have shown me kindness and love...without even knowing me.




And you?


Ever been there? On one end or the other?


It takes alot to reach out...especially in todays society.

I'm not so surprised at strangers helping you out when you need it. You have probably done the same for other strangers many times. It's called Karma, and it can be good as well as bad.

 

[Weird Harold]

And you?


Ever been there? On one end or the other?


It takes alot to reach out...especially in todays society.

I'm a compulsive do-gooder, but I've learned that there are times NOT to get involved and I have to assess each situation on it's own merits.

I do, however, believe in Karma to the extent that if I can be a good example to others and ask only that they pass on the "good deed" to someone else who needs it, then the kindness will eventually return to me when I most need it.

My last "good deed" was more a matter of honetsy than assistance, but a store clerk handed me a ten, three fives, a one and some coins as change for a twenty dollar bill tendered for a three dollar peuchase. Both the clerk and the customer behind me were astonished that I would call his attention to the error instead of just making a hasty exit with the extra cash. SAdly, that is an attitude I've encouted more and more often as the years go by.

 

[Vermilion]

I am one of those strange people. I am willing to take my life into my hands and pull over to help someone broken down on the side of the road. Maybe it's because I have been there myself. (There is no feeling quite like sitting on the side of the road with your car or bike broken down watching everyone blow past you.)

I am more than willing to serve food at a shelter.

I have been known to deliver food to a shelter that needs it.

When I lived on Cape Cod I used to make it a habit to drive down to the Marine Corps Toy's for Tots center at night with several thermoses of coffee for the guys and gals there in the cold.

The one thing I will not do is place my wife at risk.

Then again I have been down and know the value of a helping hand.

Cat

I wish you'd been about when I broke down on the motorway last week. I stood in the snow for 40 minutes until my knight in a shining Fiesta came to get me. If they won't stop to help a young woman on her own, then they seemingly won't stop for anyone.

On the other hand an old man had broken down on a local road the other day. The Fiance pulled over immediately to go and help him - by the time he reached him 4 other men had materialised and they all pushed his car off the road together... apparently it's only if you're on a motorway that you're ignored.

x
V

 

[Stella_Omega]

there is a difference in investing a child's ( no matter what age) future and bailing them out repeatedly.

Your parents seem to to have faith in you.

This is good. Take it and make it your own.

And remember to thank them, even after they are gone.

Yes, although it's seemed more like a bailing-out, more times than I care to admit. The thanks are a real pleasure, and it looks as if their faith might turn out to be justified. My sister will be gifted with their share in this venture, so if this pans out it will come to her anyway-- no strings.

 

[S-Des]

I am one of those strange people. I am willing to take my life into my hands and pull over to help someone broken down on the side of the road. Maybe it's because I have been there myself. (There is no feeling quite like sitting on the side of the road with your car or bike broken down watching everyone blow past you.)

I was 22 and heading down I55 in a blinding snow storm (with the wind chill below zero) when I came across someone walking not too far from a car that was broken down. I stopped and gave him a lift (this is pre-cell phone), although it took me about 1/2 hour away from home. We talked about music and he told me his son played in bands. I accepted his offer of a drink when we reached his house, and to my shock, I met his son...who played bass in a band with two of my best friends from high school. We wound up being really tight for years, and played in bands together often. The funny thing was, I didn't start playing guitar until after I graduated, so my friends (who had been Gods since Jr High because of the success of their bands) were shocked to find out that I not only played, but was good enough to be an equal musically.

Another time after midnight on the same highway, I came across several women traveling home from a Church event (I believe) when their car broke down. It was not fixable, so I gave them a ride back into town (about 20 minutes away), and arranged to have their car picked up and towed to my Dad's garage. Because I was driving a pickup (and there was music gear in the truck), I had to make two trips. You never saw anyone as suspicious as the woman who had to go with me first, while her two friends waited.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I did somewhat the opposite, S-Des; I had my little boy in the car and as we pulled off the motorway in driving rain, I noticed a burly guy pushing his motorcycle onto the verge. I pulled back and asked him if he needed help-- he'd completely run out of gas. I invited him to hop in for a ride to the nearest station, which he gratefully did. As we were driving back to his bike, he said "Weren't you worried that I might attack you?"

Obviously, I was not. Of course I had had to make a snap judgement, which continued to be in flux as I made my offer. I watched his face as he listened and accepted-- Nope, I was not worried about his character. If I'd had any doubt at any time, I would have driven away.

 

[SensualCealy]

My daughter suprised me the other day, we had popped into the grocery store to buy a few things and since I took her along, it was a few more than I had planned.

We were in the express lane since we only had 7 items and we were behind an elderly lady. Im talking at least 85. The belt took her groceries to the end of the counter to be bagged but she was still having difficulties putting her change away so my daughter kindly asked her if she would like help packing her groceries. Patiently she bagged 5 jugs of Tropicana, 3 loaves of bread and a jelly roll and placed them on the ladies wheeled walker. The cashier thanked her for her help and on the way out the courtesy desk cashier asked her if she had a job and if she would like an application to work there. Once we were out of the store and away from the elderly lady's hearing range I said 'Thank you' to my daughter. I explained that if more teens acted like that the elderly would have a better outlook of them, and that she made me proud by helping without being told to or asked.

C

 

[JagFarlane]

I'm a compulsive do-gooder, but I've learned that there are times NOT to get involved and I have to assess each situation on it's own merits.

I do, however, believe in Karma to the extent that if I can be a good example to others and ask only that they pass on the "good deed" to someone else who needs it, then the kindness will eventually return to me when I most need it.

My last "good deed" was more a matter of honetsy than assistance, but a store clerk handed me a ten, three fives, a one and some coins as change for a twenty dollar bill tendered for a three dollar peuchase. Both the clerk and the customer behind me were astonished that I would call his attention to the error instead of just making a hasty exit with the extra cash. SAdly, that is an attitude I've encouted more and more often as the years go by.

Reminds me of a time I went to a McDonalds...and they forgot to take my payment for two double cheeseburgers. I had gone through the drivethrough, and they waved me past the first window, which was for payment, and just gave me my food. I parked, walked inside, and offered out the payment. The manager was just astonished that I would be so honest, and, being so surprised at my honesty, told me that it would be free and thanked me for showing her that there are honest people in the world.

 

[mellowgyrl]

I'm a firm believer of "paying it forward".

 

[JagFarlane]

I'm a firm believer of "paying it forward".

That was a good movie. Ya know, the surprising thing is, in the end, how much people will do when they realize when someone has a kind heart. I've had chiefs go way out of thier way to tend to things when they realize I needed something done badly. But then again, I am one of the people whom causes them the least issues, and only comes to them when I seriously have a problem.

 

[jomar]

My parents have been putting money into my and my husband's business. A LOT. It keeps me the fuck up at night.

In contrast, my sister will not ask for a penny from them, unless she can pay them back within four weeks. That, also, keeps me the fuck up at night.

there is a difference in investing a child's ( no matter what age) future and bailing them out repeatedly.

Your parents seem to to have faith in you.

This is good. Take it and make it your own.

And remember to thank them, even after they are gone.

What Misty said.

Although, I saw on some thread ago what you're business loan was and thought now that would keep me up at night. But then again, I owe mortgage on the 1700sf building of my business and I can sleep...most nights.

 

[trysail]

A decade ago, while aboard a chartered sailing vessel, we anchored for the night in a harbor on the west side of the French Antilles isle of Guadeloupe. As night started to fall, my cousin, sisters and I dinghied ashore for dinner. After walking nearly a mile to an isolated "restaurant" that had been recommended by a passerby, my sister (never noted for possession of an enormous reserve of common sense) was exhausted and her feet bloody from a blister ("sensible shoes," anyone?) When we finally arrived (and it turned out to be not so much a restaurant as a family home), we were informed that they weren't open that night. Needless to say, we were crestfallen (as well as starving) and daunted by the prospect of another mile-long walk back with no guaranty that we'd be able to find a place to eat.

Noting our long faces, the pater familia took pity on us and offered to check to see if his cousin's "restaurant" could accomodate us. After a protracted telephone call to his cousin, he told us we'd be able to eat there and volunteered to drive us. By this time it's twilight and my cousin is very, very, very nervous that we're going to be taken for "a ride into the jungle" where we white folk are going to be cut up into very small pieces and never heard from again. It was, to say the least, a disquieting situation. On the one hand, our putative "Good Samaritan" seemed genuine and earnest; on the other, we're isolated, in the midst of a completely alien culture and don't speak Creole French. In life, there are times when we all have to make snap character judgments. Observing that, "If these guys are bad, they're very, very good" we decided to throw caution to the wind and piled into the automobile.

Arriving at our "Good Samaritan's" cousin's house after a fifteen minute drive through the pitch dark, we were on tenterhooks, looking at each other with glances that betrayed our thoughts: "So this is where we're going to die."

We were ushered into the family's house and directed to their dining room table. Our host and his family could not have been more gracious. It turned out to be an absolutely magical evening. We were treated to a Creole bouillabaise that was the most incredible soup I've ever tasted, followed by a meal so succulent that we regretted it didn't go on forever.

It was a night that restored our faith in humanity. On our return to the States, we all made a point of writing thank-you notes to our benefactors. It was a night all of us will remember as long as we live.

 

[Stella_Omega]

What Misty said.

Although, I saw on some thread ago what you're business loan was and thought now that would keep me up at night. But then again, I owe mortgage on the 1700sf building of my business and I can sleep...most nights.

It's simpl;y astounding-- the things a person can get used to...

 

[jomar]

It's simpl;y astounding-- the things a person can get used to...

LOL!

I got a phone call and didn't think I hit submit, then got distracted!

My income is uneven. So I've had to adopt a longer term view, not a monthly view, which stabilizes my anxiety, in a good way.

 

[jomar]

A decade ago, while aboard a chartered sailing vessel, we anchored for the night in a harbor on the west side of the French Antilles isle of Guadeloupe. As night started to fall, my cousin, sisters and I dinghied ashore for dinner. After walking nearly a mile to an isolated "restaurant" that had been recommended by a passerby, my sister (never noted for possession of an enormous reserve of common sense) was exhausted and her feet bloody from a blister ("sensible shoes," anyone?) When we finally arrived (and it turned out to be not so much a restaurant as a family home), we were informed that they weren't open that night. Needless to say, we were crestfallen (as well as starving) and daunted by the prospect of another mile-long walk back with no guaranty that we'd be able to find a place to eat.

Noting our long faces, the pater familia took pity on us and offered to check to see if his cousin's "restaurant" could accomodate us. After a protracted telephone call to his cousin, he told us we'd be able to eat there and volunteered to drive us. By this time it's twilight and my cousin is very, very, very nervous that we're going to be taken for "a ride into the jungle" where we white folk are going to be cut up into very small pieces and never heard from again. It was, to say the least, a disquieting situation. On the one hand, our putative "Good Samaritan" seemed genuine and earnest; on the other, we're isolated, in the midst of a completely alien culture and don't speak Creole French. In life, there are times when we all have to make snap character judgments. Observing that, "If these guys are bad, they're very, very good" we decided to throw caution to the wind and piled into the automobile.

Arriving at our "Good Samaritan's" cousin's house after a fifteen minute drive through the pitch dark, we were on tenterhooks, looking at each other with glances that betrayed our thoughts: "So this is where we're going to die."

We were ushered into the family's house and directed to their dining room table. Our host and his family could not have been more gracious. It turned out to be an absolutely magical evening. We were treated to a Creole bouillabaise that was the most incredible soup I've ever tasted, followed by a meal so succulent that we regretted it didn't go on forever.

It was a night that restored our faith in humanity. On our return to the States, we all made a point of writing thank-you notes to our benefactors. It was a night all of us will remember as long as we live.

That's awesome.

 

[JagFarlane]

Just thought this story was relevant:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/10/treehouse.man.ap/index.html