So one morning this week I had to stop for gas before getting on the freeway.  As I was finished and getting ready to pull out, an elderly lady pulled up next to me and motioned that she wanted to talk to me.  I put my truck back in park and rolled the window down.  She got out of her car and asked if I could help her because she had never pumped gas before. 

In my mind I was rolling my eyes at her, but I sighed and said ok and I got out to help.  After apologizing for bothering me, she nearly broke down crying and informed me that she didn’t know how to do this because she never had to… her husband of 56 years had always done it, and he passed only a few days before.

After I helped her she thanked me several times. Although I had only done her a small favor, I walked away thinking of what she had done for me.  It was a humbling experience… life walked up and kicked me to let me know that my problems weren’t so bad, and that I should spend more time being thankful for all that I have.  Now I wish I had asked her if she needed help with anything else.  I assumed that she would have family taking care of her; but she might be alone with no one. I just hope that I can learn from this lesson to take time and be thankful for everything I have, and go the little extra way to help others if I can. 

You never know when you may be helping someone, if only a little, to get through a tragedy.  And you never know when tragedy will knock on your door, and you will need the kindness of others.

“Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.”
  ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Pax,

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