WOW! There May Be Hope for the Human Race After All

Yes, you read that right. Among the trials and stresses and protests and restrictions, I found a family – or rather, they found me – that came to the rescue to someone in need (namely myself!).

A week ago (Friday, September 10, 2021) I was on my way to the lab not far from my place. It’s definitely within walking distance and so – you guessed it – I walked!! Full disclosure: I can’t get around outside my apartment unless I use my walker as a mobility aide. (Side-tracking a bit: I wrote an article on people needing mobility aides.). A-N-N-D I’m back to my topic of my amazement. The sidewalk that I was walking on was in terrible shape, and I mean TER-I-BLE! I usually watch where I plant my feet just so I don’t end up having a conversation with the cement!! However, – again, you guessed it – it seems I wasn’t paying enough attention to where I was plodding along. There was a slab of sidewalk that was raised about an inch above the rest of the slabs and my walker decided to stop dead in its tracks – but my body decided it was going to continue on despite what my walker wanted. I ended up having that conversation with the sidewalk I didn’t want to have! My inability to get back on my feet without help had me on the phone with the ambulance dispatch, asking for the paramedics to come, all the while making a spectacle of myself plutzed on the ground trying to right an up-ended walker!

While I was on the phone with ambulance dispatch, a truck rolled into a parking lot just feet from me, and out comes this gentleman asking if I’m OK. Ignoring the dispatcher for a moment, I explained to the gentleman (yes, I forgot his name – DRAT that! I think it may be Gerald) that I usually need two people helping me up, one on each side of me. “I’m pretty strong” he told me, but as a warning I told him that I’ve gained an incredible amount of weight (another DRAT aimed at the “Covid Diet”!!) Nevertheless, he came up behind me and on the second try he got me to stand on my own two feet! Now you might think at this point, the story ends. NOT!!

This gentleman asked me where I was going, and, seeing that his wife was at the doctor’s office and he wasn’t allowed in, he offered to walk me to the lab!! He parked his truck, gathered his young son out of the truck (the little fellow’s name is Thomas), and proceeded to walk with me to the lab. That’s definitely going above and beyond. Once at the lab, I asked if I could impose on him further by having him wait for me so that I could walk back with him to his truck. And he said he would wait!! I was just briefly going in and out. When I was done, I came outside to see this father playing with his son, and I heard the most wonderful sound – a child’s laughter. That alone is worth more than just an “honourable mention”. So, I walked with him back to where he parked his truck. O.K., at THIS point you might think I’m done with this long-winded story. But you would be wrong!!

Instead of going to his truck, this kind gentleman, with his young son at his side, said he would walk with me all the way to my home!! His wife was done at the doctor’s and he texted her the direction we were going so that she could catch up to us. Oh, yeah. Did I mention that his wife was pregnant? Yup! Not just “pregnant”; she had a due-date the following week!! I mean, THAT’S pregnant with a capital “P”!! So she joined her husband and son and I was “escorted” to the front entrance of the facility I live in!! Covid prevented me from giving the hug I wanted to give, but I could “verbally” give them a hug (yeah, that’s a thing now-a-days). 

One final thought for everyone out there. If you are the person that will be the helping hand, know this: no matter what kindness you impart – whether a gentle word, a helping hand, or just an ear to listen – know that your act of kindness will never be forgotten. YOU may never know the impact you have on someone, but believe me when I say you’ll make a difference in that person’s life. And it’s so easy to be the one imparting that kindness. All it will cost you is a little time. And time is about the only thing left that is free nowadays! So if you come across someone that seems a bit lost, or trying to hide their tears, or very obviously needs a literal helping hand, remember, you will make a difference!! And sometimes all a person needs is a smile! Remember: you never know when YOU will become the one needing that helping hand.

So, be kind, stay healthy, and keep smiling.

Until next time,

Inge