Can we trust in "the kindness of strangers" ????
Due to age, weight, and disability, I feel rather vulnerable when outdoors. Additionally, the Kroger's supermarket has been undergoing renovations. It is a chaotic mess in there. So, like Blanche DuBois (A Streetcar Named Desire), I sometimes depend on "the kindness of strangers".
To make a long story short, I was worn out toward the end of my shopping trip. I gratefully accepted the offer of a young African American employee to get me a soda and go through the line to pay for it.
When I left home in the morning, I checked the amount of cash I had in my purse. I had TWO FIVES and two ones. I was absolutely certain of that.
I gave the young black man two ones to go pay for my soda and bring it back to me. He returned with the soda and some change.
After he left, I opened my purse to put the change away. There was only ONE five in there. I thought, "Oh my God, did I accidentally give that fellow one five and one "1" when I thought I gave him two 1's?"
If so, did he pocket the five, substitute a "1" of his own, and thereby gyp me of four dollars? In other words, did he steal from me?
If I gave him six dollars, one five and one "1", and only received some small change back, that was going to be THE MOST EXPENSIVE SODA OF MY LIFE. I felt sick inside, being that money is a dire issue for a senior on Social Security.
Did I think he robbed me? Not really. I don't jump to conclusions. I simply entertained the POSSIBILITY he robbed me. But I also was thinking, "there may be some other explanation."
I have been robbed eight times in my life. Four of the robbers were Caucasian, three were African American, and there was a Puerto Rican who robbed me TWICE. So I'm an Equal Opportunity Victim. The fact that this man was African American certainly did not prejudice me!
I wracked my brain as to WHY I didn't have 2 five-dollar bills in my purse. Did I BREAK a five, I asked myself, just since I came into the store? That seemed unlikely, since I paid for my groceries with a personal check.
When I got home, I actually said a prayer. Please, God, I said, don't leave me thinking this nice young black man could have robbed me. I don't think he did!! I don't WANT to think he did!!
FINALLY, I remembered. Before doing my grocery shopping, I visited the pharmacy. And that's where I broke a FIVE. Thank you, God, for helping me remember. And thank you, God, that after being robbed EIGHT TIMES in my life, I still trusted a stranger's kindness and this trust was not violated.
To make a long story short, I was worn out toward the end of my shopping trip. I gratefully accepted the offer of a young African American employee to get me a soda and go through the line to pay for it.
When I left home in the morning, I checked the amount of cash I had in my purse. I had TWO FIVES and two ones. I was absolutely certain of that.
I gave the young black man two ones to go pay for my soda and bring it back to me. He returned with the soda and some change.
After he left, I opened my purse to put the change away. There was only ONE five in there. I thought, "Oh my God, did I accidentally give that fellow one five and one "1" when I thought I gave him two 1's?"
If so, did he pocket the five, substitute a "1" of his own, and thereby gyp me of four dollars? In other words, did he steal from me?
If I gave him six dollars, one five and one "1", and only received some small change back, that was going to be THE MOST EXPENSIVE SODA OF MY LIFE. I felt sick inside, being that money is a dire issue for a senior on Social Security.
Did I think he robbed me? Not really. I don't jump to conclusions. I simply entertained the POSSIBILITY he robbed me. But I also was thinking, "there may be some other explanation."
I have been robbed eight times in my life. Four of the robbers were Caucasian, three were African American, and there was a Puerto Rican who robbed me TWICE. So I'm an Equal Opportunity Victim. The fact that this man was African American certainly did not prejudice me!
I wracked my brain as to WHY I didn't have 2 five-dollar bills in my purse. Did I BREAK a five, I asked myself, just since I came into the store? That seemed unlikely, since I paid for my groceries with a personal check.
When I got home, I actually said a prayer. Please, God, I said, don't leave me thinking this nice young black man could have robbed me. I don't think he did!! I don't WANT to think he did!!
FINALLY, I remembered. Before doing my grocery shopping, I visited the pharmacy. And that's where I broke a FIVE. Thank you, God, for helping me remember. And thank you, God, that after being robbed EIGHT TIMES in my life, I still trusted a stranger's kindness and this trust was not violated.
Replies
It is hard to trust if you have been robbed several times. I can understand your feelings. But isn\'t it great when God will bring things back to our minds to give us that peace and trust in others we really need.
Makes us feel good when n our old age there are a few people that will have kindness and help us.
Thank you for sharing this positive story and helping renewing my faith in other people.
Hi There,
Thanks, For Sharing This Very Postive Story !
I\'m Also Very Trusting !
Love Ya, Barbara
How wonderful that a possibly bad happening turned out Good! It is so good to know there are great people that are willing to help and not take advantage.
I am so glad you remembered breaking the five. It would have been terrible . It nice to know there are nice people in the world. thanks for sharing.
I was starting to worry at the beginning of your story, I\'m glad it\'s a happy ending. The fellow was so nice to stand in line for you, though. Why don\'t you carry a small snack and some water with you so you won\'t feel so warn out. That would be healthier than the soda. The WATER would revive you and stay with you a lot longer than soda.
I\'m glad for the happy ending.
I love a happy ending =)
It is always a test of faith when we put any amount of trust into someone we dont know..at one point we were children and didnt really know many! As we grew up and got older, we crossed paths with good and bad situations and people, each teaching us and giving us or yes sometimes taking from us litle pieces of us that make us and shape us who we are today! I too struggle to go out of my house because of my weight as well as my health and other issues, and at times its difficult to do so when ive had someone treat me horribly, make horrible comments, or look at me the way so many seem to do. People dont understand how much they affect and give to our feelings and lives each time they do those things!! There is good in even the worst of humans and animals, i have to believe that since i believe we were all put onto this earth for a purpose that yes so often we never end up knowing. So even when I give, share, or help people I have never met before, and many times it is gone unacknowledged, used for poor habits r choices, thrown back at me, or taken something from me..I took the step to try which is part of being a good and kind caring person, and that at the end of the day makes me feel proud.
I\'m so glad that you were able to sort out your issue, and figure out what happened with the money. Money is so tight here for us as well, so every dollar counts. Its nice to know that I am not the only one who struggles through such moments :) Have a wonderful and peaceful day, thank you so much for sharing your story :) Blessed Be!
What a nice story. I\'m so glad that you got to the bottom of it. I\'m so glad what you experienced was genuine. That\'s refreshing. Thanks for sharing this. I\'m glad you got this resolved in your heart. It\'s so nice to see when prayer helps. :)
Good ending Judy. These things can be troublesome. Terry
PHEW!! I am so glad that it all worked out! Thank you for sharing and for the reminder! I also try to see the good in people first!