Yesterday I took part in a Supermarket Bag pack with a score of family and friends in support of MND (Motor Neurone Disease)...I wont give details as I will leave Janet to tell all on her blog http://supportingandrew.blogspot.com/ but I will tell you about one little moment that did linger in my mind.
As I was packing , I fell into a brief conversation with a rather tatty looking middle aged guy who was smelling fairly strongly of stale alcohol. In his shopping basket were two bottles of home brand vodka, a frying pan and a large packet of expensive cat food ( you know the sort- the ones in those little foil dishes)....
"Someone is going to eat well later" I said as I packed the cat food...and the man smiled broadly
"That's my Shirley's tea!" he said pointing to the cat food
" and this" he said pointing to the vodka and chuckling " .....is mine"
He paid for his items and dropped two pound coins in my collection bucket which surprised me as he didn't "look" the sort to contribute a substantial donation. (that will teach me to be so snobby)
"It's a shitty illness" he said simply
"I know, my brother has it" I replied
and with another sad smile he dropped another pound in the bucket
"good luck to him mate.." he said kindly tapping me on the shoulder
" ta ra!"
I was almost moved to tears
Yes indeed - we should never judge a book by its cover or as my Mum used to say 'looks can be deceiving' Bit hard to tell sometimes isn't it
ReplyDeleteGlad he donated though
Cathy
Agree with Cathy
ReplyDeleteBless him.
ReplyDeleteStories like that just make me want to cry too.
I'm guilty of being snobby too. I was once a waiter in a restaurant and thought for sure that I was going to get a bad tip from a certain group of people. I gave them crappy service and they gave me a huge tip while thanking me. I felt horrible and will never do that again. Okay then, I need to look up that disease. Good job with you volunteer work!
ReplyDeleteYour Friend, m.
He had a tender heart it seems, and who knows what obstacles he has to endure each day. Maybe all he has in his life is Shirley.
ReplyDeleteI always watched the farmers pull out the cash from their bib overalls when paying their vet bill as soon as doc got through, whilst those pulling up with fancy trailers and the like always charged their bills, and good luck collecting.
A sweet man.
~Jo
Angels come in all forms.
ReplyDeleteAw, what a lovely story.
ReplyDeleteAh bless - there still are some good folks around then - acts of random kindness always impress
ReplyDeleteBless. x
ReplyDeleteI do hope that Shirley is a cat!
ReplyDeleteThe man obviously has a kind heart.
Yes, looks can be deceiving.
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show that you can't judge a book by it's cover so to speak.
ReplyDeleteWas the guy that disgraced LibDem politician, David Laws? From your description, it really sounds like him.
ReplyDeleteA good lesson that we all need relearning, once in a while.
ReplyDeleteI have a rather sad image of the man, having tea with his cat; possibly the only close thing to him. Your brother Andrew is so lucky to have such a loving, supportive family. Too often, those who suffer illness, of whatever kind, become isolated as the illness takes its' toll on those around them.
ReplyDeletekate
ReplyDeletehe seemed rather cheerful to me!
Some of the nicest people come in the dirtiest packages.
ReplyDeleteHow kind.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story for you to relate! You never know where the angels are or how they present themselves!
ReplyDeletePeople can really surprise you sometimes. Even though I poke fun at my large chain bookstore job, I really enjoy it because I think people are so interesting. Nice story :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, btw, I'm Kyna. Found you through IG's page. love your blog so far.
Once again, we're reminded that behind all those eyes on all those streets are all those souls
ReplyDeletekyna]lovely to have you on board!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteSounds like he had a tender heart.
ReplyDeleteA book does not have to have gold leaf on its edges in order to have a magnificent story deep inside.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet.
ReplyDeleteI always come away from your blog with a lighter heart. God Bless you John.
ReplyDeleteJohn - Oh, good. Thank you for telling me he seemed cheerful. I feel better now. k
ReplyDeleteWe're all guilty of judging someone by appearances first. It's how we treat them even after that first impression that makes the difference, and you didn't let that get in the way. And it turned out for the better. Good on you!
ReplyDeleteI must have something in my eyes. They started to water and right after I read that post.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to just lead with your chin John and take the consequences!
ReplyDeleteOh John...isn't it curious how sometimes we don't realize how raw or vulnerable we've become until a gesture of kindness like that takes us by surprise. I hope his vodka is twice as satisfying tonight...bless his heart.
ReplyDeleteDia
It is hard to get past our preconceived ideas. Thank you for sharing this story, John.
ReplyDeleteAwe, you got yourself taught and caught. )))HUGS((( Mal
ReplyDelete