December 1, 2012
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No Goodwill.
Honestly, does no one have compassion anymore?
I was at Goodwill the other day looking for a coffee mug – I had seen some big, soup-sized ones there before with the old Cambell’s designs on them. Adam came with me to look for a winter jacket. We were in the men’s section, where I was trying to talk him out of a monstrous faux-fur lined coat, when I heard a loud thud and the breaking of glass. I looked around, and in the back near the bookshelves was a very decrepit looking man. I had noticed him before – he was confined to a wheelchair, and nudging a walker in front of him as a makeshift-cart. It seemed he had nudged too hard, for all that was precariously balanced on the walker was now on the floor.
The other people in the store were staring too. Finally, a woman started laughing and turned away. Others followed suit. I was stunned for a few moments before I realized no one was going to help him.
I rushed to him, bent down and recovered his treasures – a few VHS’s, a wire dish-rack, some silverware, and a shattered glass bottle with “Hawaii” foiled on the front that had held an intricate glass pineapple. After carefully arranging everything back on his walker, I offered to take the broken bottle up-front and pay for it. He was embarrassed, quickly thanking me for the help and insisting he wanted to buy it anyway. He nodded to me again in thanks, then scuttled away from me in a pathetic flurry of short wheel-turns and quick nudges.
I walked back towards Adam, who hugged me, took the mug from my hand, and took it to the cashier to pay for it.
I was still stunned at we returned to the car, which was now frosted over.
“No one was going to help him, were they?” I asked quietly.
“You did,” he answered.
“I wish there was more I could do.”
“I know.”
There was silence.
May
Comments (19)
there needs to be more people like u, ur a sweet heart.
good for you. there needs to be more people like you out there. i always get so sad whenever i see people in need, especially if they’re elderly. the world is cruel.
People can be awful creatures. I’m glad you’re not. You seem to have a good heart. I hope it stays that way.
I love you, May. You are a wonderful, sweet girl and I am so happy that you are around to make the world a brighter place! You are so delightful and caring, and I am so happy to know that you did the right thing. You are an angel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping him. I would have done just the same.
I love you.
<3
That was very nice of you. I don’t know what is wrong with people, some are so thoughtless and cruel it is astonishing, but not everyone is like that. Sadly it seems like more people are lacking moral conviction these days. Good job May.
Caring for someone else, in as altruistic a fashion as you can realistically achieve, means that you have to stop focusing on yourself (and whatever validation you need) at the moment.
It’s not an easy thing for most people to do…
Thank you for helping him. Truly. Thank you.
Those people saw what you did. And I’m sure it made them feel ashamed. It reminds me of when I used to feed the homeless in Philly. There was this man lying on a vent on the concrete in the cold and these two well-dressed guys walked by him and pointed and laughed at him- at the very same moment I bent down and gave him food. They looked at me shocked.
Your kindness will be remembered.
That is sad that people would rather point and laugh at him rather than help him. you have a very kind heart, its sad to know that hearts like yours are rare to find these days.
Thank you for helping him
That is crazy! I can’t believe that people not only turned away from it but laughed! I’m glad you were there to help him, though.
What’s important is that you helped him. And that there are others like you out there, there just far and few in between.
I get incredibly frustrated when people laugh about things of the like. There’s nothing funny about little things going wrong for people. I’m one to always help people and I think it should always be like that.
That was nice of you.
@PinkGlitter02 - Thanks. I was really sad that no one else offered to help
@wantcherrypie - I know – the elderly definitely don’t get the help they need most of the time. I worked at a nursing home in high school so I guess it’s reflex for me.
@chronic_masticator - Thank you.
@unstoppableobsession - I love you too! Thanks for always knowing just what to say to make me smile
@proanaArt - It really frustrates me because it is supposed to be the “Christmas season” and a time to think about other people…yet no one seems to do that.
@Under_the_Ghillie - I really wish I could have done more. And thank you, but I’m sure you would have done the same.
May
@big_fatslob - I remember in Kansas City always giving my leftovers to the homeless waiting outside restaurants. I also remember being the person receiving the leftovers, for a short period in my life. It’s amazing what a little gesture can do – thank you for doing exactly what you do
@jordon@revelife - Thank you. As I’ve said before, I hope that most anyone would have done the same
@oOMyRunningLogOo - It’s especially weird because I live in a really small town, so I’m sure at least one person in the store knew him. It makes me sad.
May
@MyPublicSite - Thank you. I think most people just don’t think about the little things, you know?
@ArmyWife4Life2007 - I know! I hate it when I see someone fall or mess up and hear laughter. It’s bullying.
@phantomFive - I’m sure you would have done the same.
@sonnigenmai - I would have.
@sonnigenmai - Thanks
Wow, that is a shocking story. I could never imagine laughing at somebody who is struggling like that. I also wouldn’t be able to just walk away either. I am glad you were there to help him.