The Kindness of Strangers

serenitynow!

Something really nice happened to my sister today. She was sitting outside the airport where she works, waiting for her ride home. A man sat down next to her and pulled out a cigarette. He asked if she minded him smoking. She said she didn't mind & that she was a smoker herself but had decided that she could not afford that habit anymore (my sis is one of the working poor, has had the same job for over 5 years & is now facing a layoff expected early next year), so she is now wearing the patch. I guess the man didn't want to tempt her with the smoke so he moved to another bench. Anyway, he finished his cigarette & started walking past my sister on his way back into the terminal. He just casually walked past my sister, dropped some money in her hand and kept going. Of course my sister was stunned! She thanked him profusely. It turned out that he gave her $90-USD & 20 Chinese yuan. My sister was so happy! She has been saving for a new transmission, and she is now nearly $100 closer to getting it.

sinis

I see this type of scenario daily, from other people. "Worldy" people realize that this is the here and now, and that we should help each other out through acts of kindness... yet on the other hand, I cannot count on one hand how many times JW's helped out the less fortunate - even their own. I remember one brother (elder) who is a millionare (from daddy) and spends all his free time rebuilding exotic and antique vehicles. One sister lost her husband to cancer and she was dirt poor. They were taking donations for a USED refrigerator and when they asked this brother to contribute he refused saying that if she had enough money to feed her dog, then she could afford a refrigerator. I saw examples of this time after time and it made me sick...

In fact when I had a life and death experience in my life several years ago and was evaced out to a different city for medical attention, the ONLY ones who came to my bed side were friends and co workers who drove over 250 miles to see me and offer assistance. NOT ONE JW from my cong showed up... tells you who your REAL friends are...

shamus100

Sinnis,

That is entirely typical for a JW. They have no natural affection at all, yet they can quote that shitty scripture time and time again.

They suck.

SixofNine

this is kinda beautiful

factfinder

@serenitynow-

That stranger was very kind.

@sinis- that sucks how no-one from your cong came to see you in the hospital but those "wordly" people did. I believe it! Most witnesses only know how to preach. I have also found that those with limited funds are usually more caring and willing to help in a practical way while those with a lot of money are stingy and uncaring.

Broken Promises

Thanks for sharing this, Serenity.

It helps restore your faith in people when you read stories like that.

littlerockguy

Reminds me of this touching story from last year. The people didn't know someone famous was among them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqT_diPghTo

LRG

serenitynow!

I feel like kind of a dope. I've been crying since my sister told me about that. I usually do with those kind of stories. It does help you feel good about people in general. I also got pretty emotional when the lady ahead of me at the Tim Hortons paid for my coffee once. Anyway, it was kind of a rough week for me at work, and I had been struggling with a bunch of emotions, so a good story at the end of the week made me emotional. Anyway, bless that man, and all the other do-gooders in the world!

serenitynow!

LRG, thanks for posting that clip. I have hated that song (Sweet Caroline) forever! I'll feel differently now, knowing he's such a good guy!

jamiebowers

I can't tell you how many times I've seen kindness like that in the world, both as a giver and a recipient.

The Kindness of Strangers

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