It only takes one person..
By devilsangel
@devilsangel (1817)
United States
October 27, 2007 5:16pm CST
Ok so last night I was reminded that it only takes one person to make a difference in someone's life. My guy and I had gone out to dinner like we always do on Fridays, as we were leaving we were stopped by a man. Apperently he'd been traveling from Idaho and trying to make his way to Portland, he had no car and basicly had hitch-hiked his way thus far. The mans request was simple, he wanted to know if we could spare a few dollars so he could go get himself some food. He hadn't eatten in two days and he was pretty much famished and ready to just fall. Apperently he'd asked several people and they just brushed him off and kept going about their day. Well we don't carry cash on us so I asked him well how about we just take you inside and buy you something to eat will that work. He almost started crying because he was shocked at the fact that someone was willing to help him. He explained that he didn't want us to spend so much, given the place we were at was a bit pricy. I told him well they have burgers an stuff so we'll order you a burger and some fries and a drink and you can sit and eat and get warm.
We bought him his meal and as he waited for it to arrive we said our goodbyes. He again thanked us for helping him and I assured him it was no issue.
The point of all this is that you never know what your kindness will mean to someone else. That extra dollar or what have you can make a huge difference in someone's life. The blanket you give to the homeless man can make the difference between waking up alive or dying in his sleep. So next time you are faced with a situation where you have the ability to help someone do it. Ask yourself if that person was your son/daughter sister/brother, wouldn't you want someone to help them. One person, one deed can make a differnce to someone else.
5 people like this
13 responses
@asgtswife04 (2475)
• United States
27 Oct 07
This is so true. We have quite a few homeless people that live under a bridge close to mine and my parents house. We always try and do something for them because some of them are in dire need of almost everything. My father helped one of the men that truly wanted something different for his life get a job. He was so excited and was able to buy him a car that he now sleeps in instead of sleeping under the bridge. He is saving up to get him a home. I think it's absolutely wonderful and necessary to help out these people in need. You can never be to kind to people. I think it's great what you did and God will definitely bless you and your husband for it. God bless!
3 people like this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
28 Oct 07
There's a couple I see at Walmart all the time that I think are living out of their car. They had a house fire over the summer and everything they could save is now in their car. They both work but it is a very sad situation. They won't accept money though, which breaks my heart cause it could possible help them.
2 people like this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Wow your daughter is very sweet and she did a great thing. I know you were very proud of her, and she probably helped that family out more than she realizes.
1 person likes this
@BlueStarMom1 (931)
• United States
27 Oct 07
On night that was very cold and rainy we came upon a young couple whose car had broken down in the middle of a very busy intersection. Everyone was just honking at them and going around them. My husband pulled our car over to the side of the road and helped the young man push his out of the road. He asked the young man what we could do to help and the young man asked if we could possibly take them to an address of some relatives in town so they could figure out what to do about their car.
We got them in our car and the young lady was freezing but she started to warm up during the drive.
When we got to the address the young man asked if he could pay us for the help and I turned around and said "Yes" You can repay us by helping someone else out when they need it. The young couple thanked us again an we told them to have a nice evening and that we were sure they would get the car situation worked out ok. If everyone would just do some small kindness for someone else wouldn't this be a wonderful world.
Thank you for helping this man. I am sure God smiled on you and your blessing will comeback 10 fold.
3 people like this
@StrawberryKisses (2833)
• Canada
28 Oct 07
This reminds me of a couple of months ago I felt so badly because at the time I was broke myself and had literally no money to help. A man in his mid 20's or so approached me at a school and told his story about him coming out here,Alberta from British Columbia, because there was "supposed" to be lots of jobs. Well he didn't realise he needed his tickets and so on to work in the big money jobs. He was sleeping outside with no food and just wanted to get home. He only needed $26 for his bus ticket home. If I had had money that day I would have taken him to the bus station and bought his ticket and gave him a little for food. I hate seeing people like that.
I agree that the simple things in life can make a huge differece in someone elses life and it seems alot of people are selfish. Like really how hard would it have been for one of those people to stop and even just give him $2 it would give him at least enough for a burger or fries and I'm sure he would have been greatful for that. So many people don't realise how good we have it and really need to be reminded of it.
1 person likes this
@devilsangel (1817)
• United States
28 Oct 07
I agree, people don't realize just how big a small random act of kindness is. It may be nothing to you but it could be everything to that person. Sometimes big things are nice but its the little things that really hit home.
2 people like this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
28 Oct 07
It was very good of you to help him out. It is rare to find ppl that aren't so wrapped up in their own lives that they are willing to help others out. They say what goes around, comes around. Makes me think you got something good coming around. :)
!!HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@summer218 (197)
• United States
28 Oct 07
That was a truly nice way to wake up this morning. Knowing that there still is people out there that don't look down on people who are just having a hard time. It really could be any one of us at any moment. Life has a funny way of flowing like that. You have some beautiful karma coming your way and your spirit is at a higher level than most. Thank you for reminding all of us that it doesn't take much to honor life. I'm sure your act changed that man's life. Sometimes, people just need to feel respected to give them that push to keep going. God Bless You. :)
1 person likes this
@caver1 (1762)
• United States
28 Oct 07
I try to help others when I can. I spent this morning with some other voluteers at the food bank. We cleaned shelves and re-stocked and bagged oranges to be handed out later.
God has blessed me richly. How do I say "thank you"? By helping others. It looks like that's what you are doing. Thanks for the encouragement!
2 people like this
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
27 Oct 07
Though I do know some people fake it, I still help regardless due to the fact that there are indeed some people in need of help.
This story should be in bright gold lettering.
2 people like this
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Not only was that a good deed, you also did things the more intelligent way. people may say that he has not eaten for a certain amount of time & ask for money to help him out. By actually taking him to a food place & getting him a meal to eat was the right thing as opposed to merely giving him cash (for obvious reasons). Overall, if more people were generous like this, the world would be a better place.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157903)
• United States
28 Oct 07
You did the right thing, not just in feeding his body but in providing him some comfort and reasonable, accepting human companionship. If you had had cash he would not have gotten the latter part. I have run into cash scams, and I have run into hungry people. I still think that people who are hungry need more than food. Congratulations on having both open eyes and an open heart. Have a great weekend.
1 person likes this
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
28 Oct 07
thats a wonderful story, and all we can do is be a human being, be a good person...and HOPEFULLY it spreads to others. just like that movie Pay It Forward (omg that movie made my cry lol!!)
once i was going into a convenience store, there were 3 homeless ppl begging for spare change near the door, i just said 'when i come out" i bought what i needed and had the 3 dollars ready for when i walked out. but i guess they figured they werent going to get anything from me cause they were gone. but as i was getting into the car a guy walked over and asked if i could spare some change cause he needed milk. i said sure (figuring milk..yeah right) and gave him the whole 3 dollars. but to my pleasant surprise as i was waiting at the stop light he was crossing the street from the store..WITH A JUG OF MILK! all i could do was smile and nod at him as he waved and kept walking.
it made me feel wonderful, cause you know most grown men wouldnt be buying milk for themselves..so to me that meant he had kids, and i was able to help out his whole family..even if it was something so small, im sure it made a difference for a short time at least.
1 person likes this
@Springlady (3986)
• United States
29 Oct 07
Wonderful story, angel!
I am so glad that you and your guy helped this man. Bless you for that!
You are right. We can make a difference in people's lives. We just need to be willing to help others and stop being so selfish, etc.
Again, thank you for what you did!
God bless!
1 person likes this
@HighReed1 (1126)
• United States
29 Oct 07
That's a very nice thing you did.
I don't carry cash, either. If I have gone and picked up some kind of take-out food (like a bucket of chicken and biscuits) and I see someone that looks sort-of down on their luck and hungry, I'll give them some. I really don't think a piece of chicken and a biscuit would be missed. It hasn't been before.
I hope many people will remember the message you sent next time they see someone in need.
1 person likes this
