When to or when not to help?

[Mo'nBack]

In 1976 at the age of 16, in Shreveport La, I had a 1967 pickup and a date one night and ran out of gas on 70th Street at 2am. Back then 70th Street was real bad and me and the girl were both scared hitless (even tough I tried not to show it!). A car pulled up and a large, muscular black man got out and wanted to know the problem. When I told him, he said for me to get in. The girl was too scared and stayed in the truck. I got in with him and he took me to his house a couple of miles away, got a gas can and took me back to my truck and put the gas in my truck for me. Since I was paying my own trucknote and just got off the date, I didn't have a penny to my name. I asked for his address and phone number so I could repay him, but he said we would catch up later. Six years later while working with a construction outfit in Shreveport, this man was one of the painters in a house we were building and even though I recognized him, he didn't recognize me. I ask his boss if I could take the man to lunch and explained what he had done for me. His boss was amazed and told the man to go with me to pick up something. He had a sack lunch with 1 sandwich in it and I told him to leave it, cause we would be back in time to eat. I went straight to Western Sizzlin and told the man to order anything he wanted. He was shocked and tried to deny me buying his lunch until I explained what had happened to a 16 yr old boy 6 years earlier. It looked like a light went on in his eyes and him and I probably had one of the best meals of my life. CS; I'm sorry that this doesn't go along with what you said or wanted in response, but it was and always will be a highlight of my life. I guess what goes around, comes around.

[fishingpox]

Now that is a great story,thanks.

In 1976 at the age of 16, in Shreveport La, I had a 1967 pickup and a date one night and ran out of gas on 70th Street at 2am. Back then 70th Street was real bad and me and the girl were both scared hitless (even tough I tried not to show it!). A car pulled up and a large, muscular black man got out and wanted to know the problem. When I told him, he said for me to get in. The girl was too scared and stayed in the truck. I got in with him and he took me to his house a couple of miles away, got a gas can and took me back to my truck and put the gas in my truck for me. Since I was paying my own trucknote and just got off the date, I didn't have a penny to my name. I asked for his address and phone number so I could repay him, but he said we would catch up later. Six years later while working with a construction outfit in Shreveport, this man was one of the painters in a house we were building and even though I recognized him, he didn't recognize me. I ask his boss if I could take the man to lunch and explained what he had done for me. His boss was amazed and told the man to go with me to pick up something. He had a sack lunch with 1 sandwich in it and I told him to leave it, cause we would be back in time to eat. I went straight to Western Sizzlin and told the man to order anything he wanted. He was shocked and tried to deny me buying his lunch until I explained what had happened to a 16 yr old boy 6 years earlier. It looked like a light went on in his eyes and him and I probably had one of the best meals of my life. CS; I'm sorry that this doesn't go along with what you said or wanted in response, but it was and always will be a highlight of my life. I guess what goes around, comes around.

[anchorpuller]

In 1976 at the age of 16, in Shreveport La, I had a 1967 pickup and a date one night and ran out of gas on 70th Street at 2am. Back then 70th Street was real bad and me and the girl were both scared hitless (even tough I tried not to show it!). A car pulled up and a large, muscular black man got out and wanted to know the problem. When I told him, he said for me to get in. The girl was too scared and stayed in the truck. I got in with him and he took me to his house a couple of miles away, got a gas can and took me back to my truck and put the gas in my truck for me. Since I was paying my own trucknote and just got off the date, I didn't have a penny to my name. I asked for his address and phone number so I could repay him, but he said we would catch up later. Six years later while working with a construction outfit in Shreveport, this man was one of the painters in a house we were building and even though I recognized him, he didn't recognize me. I ask his boss if I could take the man to lunch and explained what he had done for me. His boss was amazed and told the man to go with me to pick up something. He had a sack lunch with 1 sandwich in it and I told him to leave it, cause we would be back in time to eat. I went straight to Western Sizzlin and told the man to order anything he wanted. He was shocked and tried to deny me buying his lunch until I explained what had happened to a 16 yr old boy 6 years earlier. It looked like a light went on in his eyes and him and I probably had one of the best meals of my life. CS; I'm sorry that this doesn't go along with what you said or wanted in response, but it was and always will be a highlight of my life. I guess what goes around, comes around.

Beautiful!

[Crappie Reaper]

I smoke like a freight train, and if I am stupid enough to spend all my money on a vice, when I know I needed gas, then I couldn't blame anyone for not helping me out.

Now, back after 9/11, I played an online game called Motor City Online. It was a driving game. I made a great friend through the game. I had been laid off, and couldn't find anything decent enough to support me, 5 kids, and a pregnant wife. I told my friend that I would be dropping my Internet soon and that I might look him up in the future. He asked why, and I told him that I was eliminating all costs that were trivial and told him I had been laid off. We spoke for some length about my situation. The Man was sent from God. He asked me how much I needed to catch up on things. I laughed and said "too much". He said he had started the "Pay it forward movement". I told him I had seen the movie and was touched. He offered to send me 3k. I respectfully declined and thanked him for the gesture. My ISP stayed up for another month, and during that time, he continued to ask how things were going for me. I was honest and told him not so good. He insisted on sending me the money. He told me that he spent 54k alone on his American Express bill each month. I felt that he was sincere in his wanting to help, and could afford it, God knows we needed it at the time. I reluctantly gave him my name and address. I had a check for 3k three days later, which went through without a problem. I have saved his return address so as to someday repay him for his kindness. I don't think I will ever be able to afford it, but, have no problem helping those who look as if they really need it. Just a month ago, I stopped to help a large young black man whos car had stalled in the street. He didn't have the money to fix it, but could afford the part. I was able to instruct him on what he would need to do. He thanked me, and stated that not many would have stopped to help a guy like him. I help when and where I can, but try to have sense enough to know when someone is trying to scam me.

[anchorpuller]

All of this reminds me of an e-mail that was circulating some time ago about a young very pregnant woman that was a waitress. A customer came in and noticed her and knew she was in need. He left her a $100.00 tip with a note that said "Pass it on" or something like that. She went home and her husband and her praised God and the man too. Later the woman's husband came across a man broken down on the side of the road. He didn't have money but had the knowledge to help the man get his car going. The man offered to pay the husband. The husband replied, well someone did something for us once and gave us this note, now I give it to you and will accept no payment.
Of course the note was the one the man had left the waitress. "Pass it on"

[papasage]

yes a def person can git a job . a frind of mine had a son that was deff . he worked at a rail car repair place. painting letters and # on the cars . he flew airplane . was one of a verry few that got a piolet license that was deff . road a big harley . sorry to say he was kiled when his plane went down right after take off . you can do anything you want just try real hard .

[Eager Beaver]

I went to the convenience store one night shortly before their closing time. On the way I passed a stalled car on the country road to town.

Arriving at the store I noticed a young man sitting outside the store on the walk with a gas can. Can was full of gas. He was dressed nice. Just got of work as a waiter at a place in Tulsa. No money.

Seems he'd run out of gas, walked to the store, called a friend or relative, they came to help and bought him gas. Unfortunately they apparently didn't have any money either so left him there with the "I'll go get money and come back for you." He'd been waiting over an hour.

I asked inside about the situation. Lady said she thinks they left him as collateral or something. I paid for his gas and took him to his car, made sure he got it started, etc just so the poor kid could get home.

I directed him to go straight to the store and stop and tell them he was mobil. That way the store knew I didn't kidnap him and if anyone came looking, they'd know he was OK.

The store let me know that he did exactly that.

So that's a five dollar good deed and this is the first I've said about it to anyone.

I smoke and sometimes I have cigarettes and no money. It doesn't mean I didn't have the cigarettes before I lost/spent my money. I won't make those assumptions.

Your my kind of guy! I don't hand anyone money, but will do what I can to help anyone out, if they have a need that I can help with. It is the people with money, are the ones that I don't trust. I found a purse in a K-Mart parking lot several years ago. It had credit cards and cash in it. The Lady had placed the purse on the top of the car to unlock the door and then got in and drove off. I picked up the purse and looked for the ID and was going to call the person and let her know that I had found it in the parking lot. Then I thought that when she realized it was gone would come back to the store and check to see if someone found it and took it inside. When I walked inside I went to the help counter rite inside the entrance and told the woman there that I found the purse out in the parking lot. She took the purse and said she would take care of it. A few days later I called the woman and asked if she had gotten her purse back and she told me that the money and credit cards were missing when it was returned to her. The woman told her that was the way it was brought to her. The Lady went to the store manager and told him what had happened and that she suspected the woman had taken her money and credit cards and when she was questioned she finally admitted to taking them. I will help anyone just not with money.

[Eager Beaver]

All of this reminds me of an e-mail that was circulating some time ago about a young very pregnant woman that was a waitress. A customer came in and noticed her and knew she was in need. He left her a $100.00 tip with a note that said "Pass it on" or something like that. She went home and her husband and her praised God and the man too. Later the woman's husband came across a man broken down on the side of the road. He didn't have money but had the knowledge to help the man get his car going. The man offered to pay the husband. The husband replied, well someone did something for us once and gave us this note, now I give it to you and will accept no payment.
Of course the note was the one the man had left the waitress. "Pass it on"

That was a country song I forget who sings it. Something JOE, He stops to help old rich woman and she stops at cafe and has a pregenant waitress and leaves a $100.00 for the bill and a note that said someone had helped her and to pass it on. Waitress goes home and tells (JOE) that everything is going to be OK now.

[anchorpuller]

That was a country song I forget who sings it. Something JOE, He stops to help old rich woman and she stops at cafe and has a pregenant waitress and leaves a $100.00 for the bill and a note that said someone had helped her and to pass it on. Waitress goes home and tells (JOE) that everything is going to be OK now.

Gotta love that country music!

[fiddlefarter]

Clay Walker sings that song.

With the good deeds in mind... Once we were mowing the grass at a Shoney's store in downtown Nashville and it was again hot as hades. While we were mowing I noticed a homeless dude digging in the dumpster looking for food. When we got in the truck to leave I set three Gatorades out of the cooler. One for me and the guy working with me and the guy working with me. I stopped and walked over to the homeless guy and gave him the other one. He could barely speak English and he had a broke leg. But he sure was happy and said thank you about 5 times before I could walk back to the truck. That was back in my big time bass fishing days and after we got off work we already had the boat hooked up to go fishing. At the store we stopped at I was pumping gas across from a really hot girl, we got to talking and I ended up getting her number. Then I caught a 6.5# largemouth that night. I believe in Karma.