September 28, 2006
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Beautiful Stranger.
Earlier this year, I met — well no, not met because I don’t know him now, but bumped into a stranger that I constantly think of still today.
I was on my way to my early classes of philosophy and as usual, I would stop by at the cafeteria for some hot vanilla cappuccino. As I was standing at the cashier, I forgot that I didn’t have any money on me and somehow, I think I left my debit card at home also. I searched frantically in my bag for any kind of currency and was just about to give up my only cup of energy, that is, before a tall man behind me slipped in his own green bill. My first reaction was gratefulness of course, and i quickly replied that I can pay him back. He said with an elegance in his voice, “No, no it’s okay. These things happen.” And I had to take a quick look at him. If I do still remember correctly, he was quite handsome and dressed the part. I kept thanking him on the way out, but he looked like my gratefulness bothered him, as if he didn’t deserve one bit of it. What a humble man. So I slipped off into the crowds of students and off to class I went.
The point of this story is not how I met a polite and sexy man, which many that I’ve told the story to, said I should’ve gotten his number to “repay him back”. No, my boyfriend would kill me, isn’t that so? However, I would like to emphasize the fact that it’s so hard to find somebody like that nowadays. Somebody that would not even hesistate but jump at the opportunity to help somebody. And we’re not talking about helping the poor, I was just another student like him. I don’t know what I would’ve done in that case if I was him. I think I would’ve just been, “Oh too bad for you. Now lets step aside and let me pay for my food.” And really, I think that’s what I and alot of other people would’ve done. That man bought me more than just a cup of coffee that day, but a gesture that I will never forget.
I told myself that I should pass on this deed. So I’m constantly in search of the next perfect stranger to shower my grace on, haha. That reminds me, the other day, this girl only had a 50 dollar bill to pay for a single bus ticket to go to school (I was a person or two behind her in the line, so I was listening and watching what was happening). And the bus driver told her that they don’t take anything larger than a 20, so she tried to flip out her debit and credit card, and of course, they don’t take that either, at least not on a bus! Sadly, she had to turn around and get off the bus. I suddenly remembered what happened to me and my vanilla cappuccino, so I got out the line and tried to chase her from behind, telling her that I can pay for her fare. She looked at me with sad eyes and said, “No, it’s okay.” and walked off to the other side of the road.
I really wanted to pass this deed on, and I very much still do.
Xangans, has a stranger ever done something incredible for you that left you in awe, like as if God sent one of his angels down to help you? And until this day, you still remember it?
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Frutips
Does anybody still remember these when they were growing up?
I got a big tube of the Blackcurrant candy, it used to be $5.99, I got mine for $1.99 today! My mom said it must be fake.
Comments (5)
Give me $1000 and your deed will be fulfilled.
A few come to mind:
+ I was walking home in a very sketchy part of town. It was two in the morning. Two black guys in gangsta clothes were walking towards me on the sidewalk. Years of racial profile education and rape fear culture were leaking silently into my mind. As they passed, the guy closest to me gently pushed his friend off the sidewalk and onto the grass, just so that I wouldn’t have to move even an inch to get out of their way. There are a lot of unfortunate politics in place that make this event tainted by a racist society, but I was touched to see how conscious they were of what I, a lone girl, must be feeling at 2am in a shady area facing the media representation of brutish thugs. It was as though to say, hey, it’s okay girl, we won’t hurt you. We’re good people. We probably intimidate you, so we’ll very politely move out of your way, instead of brushing past as we might do during the day.
+ I was struggling with my groceries, and a fast-walking Asian guy wearing posh clothes sped past me. Then, after several paces, he suddenly turned around and offered to help me carry them back to my apartment. I told him I was ok, but it still strikes me.
I guess what I find poignant is when the people who help don’t fit the stereotype of helpful people.
Really neat entry.
OOOo..frutips.. i remember of course.. i still eat em’ now.. (: so yummmie…
wowwwww…1.99? lol.
When i was about 10 years old i went to McDonalds for my 3 cheeseburger afternoon snack (i was a chubby kid heh). When it came time to pay i was 10 cents short. The lady behind me quickly took out 10 cents and paid for me. When i turned to say thank you, she dismissed me quickly and said simply “you don’t have to say thank you, just remember this and do the same for someone else whenever you can.”
ever hear of the concept, “pay it forward”?