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By Linda L. Kerby, Leawood, KS
I often shop at a large combination discount-department-grocery
store because I can get a cart for handicapped people there, and
it’s a one-stop kind of shopping so I don’t have to
get in and out of the car several times to get everything I need.
One day, I was trying to unload my cart and balance my cane in
the process when a woman and her two young daughters walked by.
They stopped a few feet away, turned around and came back to ask
me if they could help me put my purchases in the car.
I was so surprised that I couldn’t say anything. She was
very nice and introduced herself and said that she didn’t
mean to insult me, but she thought I looked like I could use some
help. I struggle to remain independent and I don’t like to
ask for assistance, but I knew that it was important for all of
us that I accept her offer. The two girls were quiet but friendly,
and they were very careful of the purchases and how they placed
them into the car.
When the cart was empty, one of the girls said that she would
return it to the store for me. Then the mother said, "You
do have someone at home to help you unload all this, don’t
you?" I told her that I did not, but I could manage, especially
since they had helped me already. She asked if I would allow her
to follow me home and help me take my purchases into the house.
I was again surprised and did not immediately answer her. She
apologized again, and reassured me that she meant me no harm and
that she would not try to take advantage of me in any way, repeating
that she just wanted to be of help to me.
Through my tears I explained to her that being a good role
model for her daughters was more help than she could ever imagine.
She had put into action what some parents only tell their children
about helping, and caring, and giving of yourself. I know that
this event will be a living lesson for her girls, and I’m
sure it was only one of many. This woman did not perform a dramatic
rescue, or enter into an obviously risky situation as firemen
and policemen do each and every day. But she took the time to
look, listen, and feel, and to show her daughters what it really
means to "love one another."
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