Giving and Getting

As I walked back to my Mustang shortly after buying some Dr. Pepper, I hear a voice behind me as I start to unlock my car. Not sure if it was talking to me, I ignored it the first two times or so I heard it. After opening my door, I heard it again and turned around to see a smaller middle-aged black man approaching me. He was saying “Hey man, can I talk to you for a second..” – I opened the door, chucked the Dr. Pepper into the passenger side seat, then closed and locked my door. He walked up to me, saying a few other things like “don’t worry man, I’m not going to hurt you – you’re bigger than me anyways” – he was a skinny guy, and a bit shorter than me at that. He asked me for something to eat as he approached. Told me he was a student, he couldn’t work and go to school, he had a family that needed to eat, you know, all the things a person of this nature would normally say to get a quick fix of cash or something to eat. Whether he was a druggie, or just a guy who needed some help, I agreed to get him some food anyways. We walked into Food Lion, picked up a pack of drumsticks and some cheese (he said his mother would love to have some of this), and paid for it. He carried on with some small talk here and there, saying how his mother just moved from House A to House B and had to put a security deposit down and make the other house payment and couldn’t afford anything until the first of the month. I listened, asked a few questions, just mulling the situation over in my head. I wasn’t scared, as he was a smaller guy than me, we were in a public place, and I’m generally just not one to get jumpy about things. I paid for the stuff (came to a little under $10), and we were walking outside and he told me about how chivalry is a good quality to still have and this will come back for me later in life. I said alright, just do me a favor – take care of your family, keep going to school (he had an Edgecombe badge on him), and get that business degree you were talking about. He said he will, gave a few thanks, etc. Went to my car, gave him a wave as I drove by, and continued home.

One thing I remember my dad teaching me was to be a decent human being. With a world full of so many shitty people, be the one to stand out and help someone, as insignificant as it may be. I don’t remember what he exactly used to say, but it is one thing I took from him, to respect and help your fellow man. I’ve never quite understood why people would completely not give a damn about someone clearly in need, but in today’s society there are so many things affecting even the average person that you don’t know if he is a druggie or a guy really in need. If he had of asked me for cash, I would have told him to get lost – regardless of his little story, he didn’t though – he wanted something to eat, and I wasn’t going to let the guy or his could be family go hungry either. Personally, it all comes down to this – if I was in need, I would gladly take anything and be forever indebted to the person that helped me out in a rough time, so why would I leave a hungry guy by himself in the middle of a parking lot with nothing to eat with his family? I suppose it goes back to the golden rule, do unto others as you would have others do unto you. My father wasn’t a very religious man, and neither am I, but even people who don’t strongly believe can abide by the teachings of figures like Christ. I’m driving a Mustang, my third car since I’ve started driving, with a smart phone in my pocket, enough money in my grasp to pay off a brand new Silverado, a computer at home that plays everything I want it to, a 72″ screen on my wall, and a few other things I’m blessed to have, including a solid family – so how would I look not spending $10 to help a guy in need?

I am not writing this to be portrayed as some kind of saint, and I’m certainly not writing it for any kind of recognition. I am just reflecting on to how my family raised me, and how I could have it so much worse than what I am living like now. I’m taking a moment to realize what I actually have, and thanking whoever the hell wants to listen for it.