How Sad That In the Year 2012..
By jojo732
@jojo732 (294)
October 21, 2012 3:33am CST
Hello my lotters
Yesterday evening I was walking past a church in the main shopping area where I live,there was an elder (I would say he was probably in his 70s) sitting on the church wall with a paper cup begging passers-by for money. I decided to stop and talk with this elder,at first I was going to do what many were doing and that was to carry on walking,because I have seen this elder before. Anyway I stopped to talk with him,he told me that after he paid his rent, he had about 28.00 left a week to live on,out of this he has to pay council tax,gas and electricity,and then find money for his food clothing etc. Now this elder was dressed smartly and I am guessing that as a younger man he would have worked hard and long hours,and I think it is such a sad sad indictment on society that in 2012 an elder should be out having to beg for money,I only had 1.00 on me which I gave to him,but it made me feel sad to see a once proud man reduced to begging...
Sorry my lotters I just had to get this off my chest..
jojo732
3 people like this
9 responses
@berting600 (3453)
• Philippines
21 Oct 12
He was really in the verge of begging that is why I got pity he does not deserve such treatment from society,whom he have serve.Does he have any relatives to give him special care,so that he could live a life with dignity and love?People from other countries have other style in making their elders live,unlike here in the Philippines,that elders are given utmost care and love from their children.I have even seen other elders are just put in the house of elders for the care they are supposed to be given to their parents.I do not do that to my parent if ever they needed some love and care,because they have already given out their love to us,so better give them the true love they are worthy to enjoy as what they have given to us when we are still young.
1 person likes this
@berting600 (3453)
• Philippines
22 Oct 12
It is really very important to let our beloved parents know and felt our love and care by giving them the correct care and affection which just proved that we love them as they have love us when we are still young.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
21 Oct 12
Thanks a ton for posting this discussion. Well i am really touched by your gesture and the story that u shared with us. i can understand that old man must have gone through many hardships in his life just to earn a decent living for himself and see where he is standing now. i hope that something is done in his regard otherwise we would see many such people on the street and would be repenting that we could not help them in need.
What say?
1 person likes this
@jojo732 (294)
•
21 Oct 12
Thank you so much for your response. I feel that some countries do not care about their elders in their communities and this is such a sad and shameful thing.. We should cherish and respect our elders,there is so much we can still learn from them,as I said I just felt so sad seeing this elder begging..
I hope that if he has family they will see that he needs help and provide it for him..
Wishing you well..
jojo732
@marguicha (215193)
• Chile
21 Oct 12
That sort of thing happens everywhere. I think that the government and society has to take care of that by making laws that don`t mean giving charity to the older people but helps them put away part of what they earned while they were young so they will have a decent retirement.
@jojo732 (294)
•
21 Oct 12
Thank you so much for your response.My country is doing that now, when we are working we have money taken from our wages and the company pays into it as well,then when you retire you will have this extra money for your pension..Sadly the elder I saw yesterday,and others in his generation did not have this option..
Wishing you all the best.
jojo732
@jojo732 (294)
•
21 Oct 12
Thank you so much for your response. I agree with you it does make us think of our futures and those of our loved ones,the government should be helping our elders much more than they do,but they will say there is no more money to help them...How sad...
Anyway
Wishing you all the best.
jojo732
@dollar3235 (2062)
• India
21 Oct 12
Hi Jojo,
There is a lot of pain in this world, all of us have got something within ourselves that is sad but it's just that his situation was visible to everyone and there are others including you and me who have got their own problems but may be we have an option to hide it from the world. Pain is everywhere but in different forms, this is what the world is all about and that's why people wish to go to heaven. Very kind of you to have some space in your heart for a poor man. 
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
21 Oct 12
Yess jojo it is sad and even sadder there are people that
just to often judge people when they can just as easily
offer a helping hand...It was very nice for you to take the
time to chat with him and you can believe he realy appreciated
it because I'll bet the majority of people passed him by..
without even taking the time to lend a helping hand only
a passerby and judge...
I just want to say thanks for being so understanding of others.
I hope that if I one day be in a situtation beyond my control,
I will have a kind angel like you to pass my path...
@jojo732 (294)
•
22 Oct 12
Thank you so much for your response.I would not call my self an angel,but thank you,there are many people like me out there, trying to be a good and helpful member of society,and I am sure that if you are ever in need there will be someone there to lift you up and help you ...
Wishing you all the best..
jojo732
@bjc66bjc (6730)
• United States
22 Oct 12
Thanks so much for the best wishes...but let me point out something
we never know when God is using to help him do his work..You could
have very well felt like a angel to that man when you stopped to chat
with him..It problem gave him a sense of being worthy at least for a
minute...thats a great feeling...
I know there aren really some GOOD people in the world, and thank
GOd for them...But there are also a lot of users and people who only
think of themselves and are constantly judging other justnby sight
without even know the person...
Nice work!!!!!
@shaggin (71659)
• United States
21 Oct 12
Aww that is really sad. I would have felt so bad for this man as well. I think it is so nice of you go give him what money you had on you. Actually it was really nice of you to stop and talk to him to begin with and then very kind of you after hearing his story to give him your money. I feel bad for people who are going through what this poor old man was.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
21 Oct 12
I have seen and done the same as you before. it makes you feel good to talk to them and help them. Even if its just a few cent sit helps them. God bless you.
@jojo732 (294)
•
21 Oct 12
Thank you so much for your response. Yes you are right that families,should value their elders,but this does not always happen,and also some elders may not have family they can ask for help,so I feel that we as a society should do whatever we can to stop and chat,or to offer whatever change we have,but Governments should give our elders enough money to pay their bills and have enough left over for food clothing and a few treats, after all surely they deserve to live their later years without having to choose between paying their rent or eating a meal..
Wishing you well.
jojo732
