As I was entering my building this morning, a gentleman I'd not seen before was headed out. He was coming from the cafe and he was holding a container of food in his left hand with an apple balanced on top. He was using a cane with his right hand.
I could tell at a glance that the need for a cane was not due to an injury; rather it was something he had utilized for some time. Nevertheless, there were two sets of double doors between him and the parking lot. I stopped and asked if I could get the door for him. He replied that no, he could manage just fine.
He wasn't struggling, and I didn't want to press the issue, so I continued on towards my office. As we approached each other he said "Thank you very much!", and as we passed added, "That was so very nice of you to offer!" His tone that implied that, perhaps, offers of assistance were not all that common.
It made me wonder. Do we walk through life without really "seeing” other people? Or can we simply not be bothered to lend a hand?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I love that you notice people around you. There are days I'd gladly accept help with the screaming toddler and two handfuls of groceries.
I think it's that we get so busy we don't truly "see" people.
I don't know if, in general, people don't really see what's going on. I live in a small town, so folks here tend to be friendly and quite helpful.
I was in a car accident and nearly lost my leg. I was in a wheel chair, then crutches, then used a cane for a long time. At the age of 27 this gets attention. I had so many people offer to help, and most of the time I accepted. Sometimes I would kindly thank the person, then do it on my own (whatever the task was) just as a way to prove to myself I WAS making progress and getting better. It was a way to assure myself I would indeed get my independence back which was something I feared wouldn't happen at the time.
Random acts of kindness are so wonderful.. and far too few. I love doing some little thing that might make someone's day a little better, easier. I must, however, fight the urge to be pissed at those people that drop the door in my face, or better yet, sail through a door I held for them without a thanks or even a glance or smile, as if it were my job.
Friday night, at the grocery store, there was a woman behind me in a wheelchair. Her legs looked atrophied, I'm assuming she's been in that chair a good many years.
She asked for help getting a bottle of water, and then with getting her groceries out of her handbasket, "Because she didn't want to hold up the rest of the line, people get upset."
I wanted to tell her to tell the other people to take a hike - if they get into line behind her and see that she's alone? And they're not willing to help? They deserve to be delayed.
Are we really so unfeeling to people in need?
I definitely think we walk by quite a bit in life, not seeing it...but I am glad you did see that guy.
THanks for the reminder.
Post a Comment