A Small Kindness

[tabs]

Late last night I stopped for gasoline and while theŕe I saw a nicely dressed young black girl sitting on the curb with her head down looking like she was sniffling. I told her to take care and she responded that the gas station attendant wouldn't even give her a courtesy cup of water. I went back into the station and asked the employee for a cup of water which I was given and I proceeded to give it to the black girl sitting on the curb. When she saw me her jaw dropped in astonishment that I would care enough to take action in her behalf
to which she gave a little smile. It was such a small thing to have done for another person who seemed to need a bit of help

[doug_porsche]

Thumbs up.

Thanks for being a good person!

[reverie]

Thank you, tabs. You remind me of the scene in The Wizard of Oz, when Professor Marvel shared his food with Dorothy and Toto. Every little kindness goes a long way.

[tabs]

Like Professor Marvel, I hope the kid got home OK. I was concerned because what is a 15 year old doing out at 2 AM

Anyway I hope that it will help out for all the times in my life that I have been an azz.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

At the end of it all the only thing that matters is how compassionate we are, or have been. Good on ya. You're a good person at heart tabs.

[Buckterrier]

Doing the littlest things in the world...

[Mo_Gearhead]

A couple of years ago, I was getting gasoline in a town in Kansas. As I wait, I lean against the car and watch a young woman walk over to two other guys at the pumps. Too far away to hear what was said - she then approached me. Told me her family was traveling to a funeral in Louisiana and had to pay for an auto repair the day before and were now literally broke. My BS meter sounded - but she was well dressed, attractive and did not appear to be high or drunk.

I went over to her car. Her husband (BF?) sat behind the wheel - his eyes seemed to convey how embarrassed he was that he had to send her to plead their case. Two small children in the backseat - one in a child’s seat. The cars plates were Utah. The young couple were well dressed, the two small kids cute and neat.

Decision time.

I swiped my card and told them to fill it. The girl literally burst into tears. If it was just an act - she should probably be in Hollywood.

Maybe I was scammed? It does not matter. It made ME feel good.

The point of Tabs post? - Pay it forward gentlemen.

[GH85Carrera]

Back in my single days I was at a Churches Fried chicken place waiting in line behind what looked to me like a 16 or 17 year old girl and a 12 year old boy. He kind of reminded of me at that age. Just insatiable. He was hungry and wanted to order a lot of pieces but I could see the what I assumed older sister tell him they only had a few dollars for food. She ordered just a wing and water and he bought three legs.

I walked over and asked the boy if he could eat 4 more. His eyes lit up and he sister looked panicked. I said I would be happy to pay for 6 legs for them. He had those legs snarfed up before I got my second bite of my order. I asked him if he wanted more and asked his sister if she really would like more to eat. They both nodded and I ordered a large bucket for them. I figured they would have leftovers that way.

They both thanked me several times.

[Oh Haha]

I've made many mistakes in my life, not once did I regret doing something nice for somebody.

My son makes me proud when he holds a door for a lady or a senior.



Sometimes we can get so wound up with OUR problems we forget that other may be having a harder time for whatever reason.

I need to recognize this more often.

[recycled sixtie]

Good work Tabs. You are a good man.
Guy

[techweenie]

What must it be like to be refused a cup of water -- and a hundred other slights.

We can't always see how people get into distress. Sometimes it's their own poor judgement, sometimes it's random circumstance. For most people, begging is shameful.

2 days ago, I was near LAX at a convenience store and there was a young Black man standing outside. He wasn't asking for anything; he was barely acknowledging anyone, but was clearly in distress. I decided I'd buy him a meal when I came out of the store. But he was gone. I missed a chance to do something decent. And it bothers me. Small gestures cost us next to nothing. But sometimes merely recognizing someone else as a human being can have a big impact on them.

[asphaltgambler]

..............................you are your brothers keeper........

[jyl]

I was in a convenience store buying something, but didn't have enough cash. An attractive black woman, who had just finished her purchase, handed the clerk a dollar to complete my purchase, smiled, and walked out.

I was on a bus, on a cold wet day, and feeling low. A woman, as she got off the bus, leaned over and quietly told me that I was a handsome man.

Both interactions lasted just seconds, but I've never forgotten them.

[Amail]

It's a little embarrassing that after 45 years of research & study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to each other.

-Aldous Huxley

Well done, Tabs.

[sand_man]

Sweet!

Now let's hope that the powers of "no good deed goes unpunished", look the other way...

[aschen]

jeez was this gas station located in 1957?

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by aschen

jeez was this gas station located in 1957?

Right?!?!? SHEEESH!

[pavulon]

Was leaving a Chipotle in Woodbury, MN yesterday when a stand off between myself and 2 other fellas unfolded. Each of us was holding one of 4 exit doors. One of the guys broke down, let go and walked through saying "people around here are too damn nice." I thought that was pretty amusing.

[gacook]

I'm a self-proclaimed cynical *******. Yet, when I see someone who needs help, I act (usually); can't really say why. But it does make you feel good afterwards. I try to teach my kids to put themselves in the situation of the other person. Who knows how far that small act of kindness will actually get that other person.

Good job, Tabdullah.

[pitargue]

Tabs is Canadian? :-)