Keeping someone from crossing a line, you know they don't want to cross
By jewels49
@jewels49 (1776)
United States
January 10, 2010 12:36am CST
I was in the grocery store today and I saw a young woman in the baby food aisle, she kept picking up these 2 jars of food and putting them back on the shelf, and then she would look around the aisle and pick them back up, my son figured out the same time I did she was going to steal them..I kept praying she wouldn't do it in front of me..I am friends with the store owners, and I know how hard things are for them right now, just like they are for everyone else in our area, I didn't want to tell on her. My son was watching me to see what I as going to do..for 18 years I have been preaching to him about the evils of standing by and doing nothing when you see somehing wrong. I had to do something..I finally just walked up to her and put 10.00 in her hand and told her "honey, please don't do that here" I kept moving as soon as I shoved the money in her hand, she was crying, and I knew if I stayed I would end up crying too. My son the skeptic at times, made me hang out in the store to see if she still stole the jars and pocketed the money. She didn't, she bought the baby food. Somehow I think I was supposed to be there when I was, that I was given the opportunity to change the path of someone else. Have you ever had the chance to do that, would you take the chance if you did?
3 people like this
12 responses
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
11 Jan 10
Hi J. I admire what you did. And I admire that you were there at the right place and at the right time. And also for recognizing her pain, and knowing what to do. If it were me, I might have not done the same thing. I have my heart in the right place, but sometimes I'm just too thick to know what the right thing to do. This deed of yours is a good example for me to remember if ever I'd be in the same situation. Thanks for sharing.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jan 10
You remind me of a Martina Mcbride song, I can't remember the lyrics off hand though. It was such a nice gesture for you to do that. Though you were kind of helping the store owners more, you were also helping the girl from embarrassment as I am sure she didn't truly want to steal, she just needed to for her child or children. I wish that the governments would do more to help mothers in need, and anyone really, but I suppose they can only do so much.
I don't blame your son for being a skeptic though I don't know that I'd keep watch over the person I gave money too, I'd just leave it to god.
I don't think I've ever had the chance to do anything like that, but if I were I would. I may even help them by telling them to walk with me as I did my shopping, let them pick out a few things they needed, and then I'd pay for them.
2 people like this
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
10 Jan 10
Had I been alone I wouldn't have watched her either and I tried to keep my son from doing so, but it ended up being good for him to know that helping her was the right thing..that basically people are good. I don't believe she wanted to do it either, I doubt if baby food is high on the seasoned shop lifters list of things to steal. Thanks for your response.
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
10 Jan 10
It isn't right to, but I'm sure he wasn't staring in the sense of being rude, just curious and protective of your intentions and your money. I'm glad it turned into a learning experience, and maybe not only were you supposed to help the woman, but also to help your son learn as well.
In any case, I'd also say that baby products of any kind would not be high on the list for seasoned shoplifters!
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
10 Jan 10
Jewels49 I commend you for your good deed. Not only did you help the woman from not committing a crime, but also the store owner and the child she needed to feed. Your son learned more than one lessen that day as well. Too often you hear of people turning a blind eye to such a situation. You are an angel. Big huggers to you.
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
10 Jan 10
Thank you ElusiveButterfly..I don't know as I am an angel, I just couldn't stand to see someone take a chance on altering their path or compounding what was obviously already a bad situation for a couple of dollars. I agree, my son learned several things yesterday and that I cannot put a price on.
1 person likes this
@Clicker625 (196)
• United States
11 Jan 10
You handled this situation in such a kind, loving way. I don't know if I would have thought of giving her the money to buy baby food. However, if I ever saw this happening I hope I would remember your reaction. The fact that it was baby food that she might have considered stealing is entirely different than if it had been another product. This was such a good learning experience for your son and you should feel proud that you showed him such a good example.
2 people like this
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
10 Jan 10
What you did is really admirable. You have helped someone from doing something bad, which is good. It is a good thing you had some extra cash to share at that time. I do not know what you would have done if you didn't have extra money to share. Would you have called her attention? That would still be helping her realize that she was about to do something wrong. Again, it's the crisis that has made some people cross the line. I hope things will improve in the near future.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Jan 10
hi jewels yes I would if I had the chance to do so, as once when I was young and pregnant and my son just a little over a year old, I was looking at baby food, and trying to figure out how much
I could spend. I did not notice this tall good looking older man until myson came back to me with a twenty dollar bill in his little hand,.here mommy,man gave it to me, he pointed to the older man who saluted me and walkedout. when I went to pay for it I asked the cashier who was that man who gave me this money? she told me he was the owner of the grocery store I was in. wow. What a kind and generous thing, and he had not let me even thank him. so I would have loved to have been able to do that for someone else. now i am a senior citizen myself.
1 person likes this
@hvedra (1619)
•
11 Jan 10
Wow, that was a really wonderful thing to do. It seems that she must have been a good person in a desperate situation and you gave her the opportunity to avoid doing something wrong - something that could have had major repurcussions had she been caught.
I've not had a situation quite like that but I've helped strangers in the past and I hope I don't become so cynical that I ignore those who need a hand from time to time.
@canesfan1964 (544)
• United States
12 Jan 10
I've been waiting all day long to have the time to sit down and respond to this wonderful story. You did the right thing Jewels. What a wonderful opportunity to teach your son something that will stay with him the rest of his life. Not only did you help the woman but what a valuable parental experience! I guarantee that your son will remember this when he is our age. He made be a skeptic but boy did he see what a loving person his mother is. He should feel honored. In a world that focuses on hate and competition it is so great to know that "love" for another human being still exists. It gives me hope and may turn that skeptic son of yours into a believer. His being skeptical about the woman was his way of protecting you. He knew that you had been selfless and he did not want you to be taken advantage of. Just goes to show how much your son loves you and respects you. Thanks for sharing this story. Warms my heart! :)
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
12 Jan 10
Hey cane..you have a jock, I figured you would get it..they tend to be "show me " kind of boys..if you talk the talk you better be able to walk the walk..and the last couple of years he has become both very protective of me as he figures out how to go from boy to man..and skeptical.. I know when he became such a skeptic, I saw it happen..it was when all the guys started admitting to steroid use, these were guys that my son had grown up believng in, the guys he and his friends believed had just showed up and worked hard at practice, and in the off season had dedicated themselves to their sport, guys that influenced him to give up summer vacations for football camp. Then they got caught and so many of them lied. He doesn't even realize it has colored his view of people in general, and I am praying that this incident repairs some of the damage..it is so rare for him to even go to the store with me anymore..maybe that young woman did as much for my child as I helped her with hers. Maybe we were all in the right place at the right time. Sticks crossed.
1 person likes this
@poingly (605)
• United States
10 Jan 10
I think you did a good thing, but I question if that woman would've stolen the food even if you didn't. Maybe this is just because I have faith in people. I too have often found myself in a store with an item in my hand, questioning if I REALLY need it or not. I would also probably cry with the niceness of your act, but I would never steal it, ya know?
1 person likes this
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I'm quite certain she was going to take them, I don't think she was a bad person, the opposite really, every time she picked them up, she started to put them in her coat pocket and couldn't quite bring herself to do it. I would like to think I would never steal anything either, but I guess until you walk in someone else's shoes, you never know.
@saphrina (31552)
• South Africa
10 Jan 10
Sweatie, if i could have given you the biggest hug in life, i wouldn,t care doing it. It breaks my heart to hear that some people are willing to cross a line, just to make sure, there children are fed. It is WRONG, yes, we all know that, but to see a mother willing to cross it, for the sake of her child. You are one of those people, hard times or not, who are willing to give a helping hand, no matter what. It is going to sound silly, but i am so proud of YOU. Words cnnot really describe how i feel at this moment, but one thing i can say from my heart. God saw what you did and He never forgets these small little things. May your be blessed.
@RAVENBLADE0842 (493)
• United States
10 Jan 10
That was a great thing to do. Alot of times people find themselves in situations they dont think there is another way out of, and you gave that person another way. I don't remember anything like that ever happening to me. There has been more than a few times I have been out and about and helped people by getting them something to eat or a cup of coffee, but that's not really the same thing. If I ever hit the big time I would love to be one of the Secret Santa's who keep their identities hidden and throughout the year keep an eye on people who are struggling to make it in this world for any number of reasons. These gentlemen dress up like Santa Clause and go out near the holidays and just give out money to both people on the street and those who they have researched and know they are in need of it and well deserving. Anyway being a good samaritan is something we all should do more of.
2 people like this
@jewels49 (1776)
• United States
10 Jan 10
I love your secret santa idea. There are a couple of families that live near us and every yeay we sneak a basket of goodies, some warm clothes, and a couple of presents for the kids on their doorsteps. The kids love doing it..it would be great to hit the big time and do it on a larger scale. A cup of coffee or a meal when someone really needs one is indeed being a good samaritan..we all should do what we can, when we can, it's great that you do.
1 person likes this
