We’ve all had that moment. You know, the one where you’re tired after a long day, in a hurry and focused on getting home to finally call it a day when someone comes up to you asking for help. When it happens, there’s an internal eye roll as we think about how bad our day has been and we don’t want to be bothered.
I had one of those moments last week as I was getting gas at well past 10 at night.
An older gentleman offered to pay me for a ride home, saying he had just gotten off work. My gut reaction was “I just want to get home to my wife.” But, something in my mind asked “What if was me, or her or one day my kids?”
Once I finished pumping my gas, I told him to hop in. Man, I’m so glad I did.
He didn’t live far, just south of Posey’s on Hwy. 69, so it was only about an eight minute drive. As it turns out, he had just finished working a full shift at a fast food restaurant, but doesn’t have a car to make it to and from work.
During the drive to his home, he was so proud of the bag of change he had found while cleaning the parking lot. Did you know that a lot of people who drop change at the drive-thru window don’t pick it up? I do now!
I told him about my new job at WBRC and how I was excited, yet anxious, to get started. He thought it was the coolest thing to have met someone that works for a television station.
Had I said no or created some kind of excuse, I’d have never gotten to know this man for the short time that I did. I’d have never gotten to hear his excitement about finding loose change in the parking lot. I’d have never gotten the overwhelming support of a complete stranger as we drove through the empty streets of downtown Jasper.
When we reached his home, he tried to give me some money for the trip. I politely declined.
“You worked for that, keep it,” I said. “I’m just happy I was able to help.”
His response was that of pure happiness and gratitude. As I drove home to my family, I knew I had done the right thing by not focusing on myself and my own tiredness.
So many times we get wrapped up in the cultural divide, whether it be politics, religion, sexuality, race or whatever. We forget that on the other side of that conversation is an actual human with different life experiences than ourselves. They possess different values, no more or less important than our own. So what if they look different, sound different or live a different life? It’s not our job to place judgement. It’s our job to simply hold out our hand and help each other through this crazy world.
As I write my final column and prepare to say goodbye for now, I want to leave you with a thought.
Be good to each other Walker County. Stop listening to respond and listen to hear. Stop looking for ourselves in other people and see them for who they truly are. When someone asks for help, take a moment and offer your hand.
This is my home. I’m proud to say it always will be.
