Fresh Clothes And Dignity

--by trionafaye, posted Jul 18, 2012

Through my work at a public service organization I often encountered people in dire circumstance. Like the Native American woman who staggered into our lobby.

She had obviously soiled herself, been drinking heavily, and was disorientated. Luckily, someone had told her she could probably sit in our lobby and be safe.

A colleague approached me, wondering what I was going to do about this problem and how I was going to get her out of there. I was startled by this brash attitude and all I could think was, "There, but for the grace of God, go I".

At first this inebriated woman was argumentative, swearing, and waving her arms about. So, I sat down beside her and gave her a coffee. With the warm drink in her hands she seemed to settle down some. I asked her name and where she was from. She was not from the city but from a small town I knew of. She was a 68 year old grandmother. Her husband had passed away so she came to the city to live with relatives but her heavy drinking resulted in her getting kicked out. She had been living on the streets and spending nights at the local women's shelter. She was in tears as she told me all this.

It seems that in a place in the downtown area, a sheltered place hidden by bushes, where street people would drink and party. This was where she had been. Some men had roughed her up, blackened her eye, swollen her lip, and stolen her money and wine. All I could think that this could be my grandmother.

I asked her if she would like to have a shower and I would find her some clothes, underwear, and shoes that would fit. She agreed, so myself and our housekeepers got her into the tub. We gave her towels, shampoo, toiletries, and lots of time to freshen up. She asked for help shampooing and rinsing her hair, so I helped her. She seemed to be struggling with arthritis as well as still being under the influence of alcohol.

Each time she called me for more assistance she seemed to become more of the lady she was. Her sense of humour and appreciation came out more and more. I felt thankful just to help her.

In our closet of donated clothes I found a lovely turquoise jogging suit with a nice t-shirt, underwear, socks and a pair of nice looking jogging shoes. Once she had rested a bit, had another cup of coffee and a snack, got dressed in her new clothes, had her hair combed out and dried, this lady looked like a completely different person. It was startling. She said she felt much better and was so surprised at how nice she looked.

Then she called a family member who came to pick her up. I watched from a distance as the lady left and didn't look back.

It was not for me to comment on her circumstances, she knew them all too well and needed to step forward with dignity.

When the other staff member who had spoken so callously before asked where "that drunk" had gone I realized that she had walked past her without even recognizing her. I said I wasn't sure where the lady had gone, which was the truth.

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Posted by trionafaye
Jul 18, 2012
Comments (10)

Readers Comments

Glowworm wrote: A beautiful story of compassion and, like you said, dignity. I'm glad she had you there. Sometimes--well, MOST of the time--it is so easy to judge someone without looking beyond the surface. You looked beyond her drunkeness and messiness and saw a human being in need of a helping hand.

May the Lord who sees all bless you for your kindness, and may you continue to be the soft-hearted person you are.

princessliz wrote: She could have been our mother, grand mother, sister, daughter, neighbor or friend..The fact is she is a person going through a rough patch and needs support and encouragement. Thanks with all my heart for showing her love in a practical way and without judging her ❤
★ ☆ You are a Kindness Trooper★ ☆

moral12 wrote: Bless you for taking the time and caring to help this lady down on her luck. That you did it without judging her speaks so highly of your character. Yes, there but for the grace of heaven........Bless you for caring and helping her to try to recover some dignity in her life.

trionafaye wrote: Thanks for all the kind words about this story, all I could think at the time was what if this was me, a family member or friend. This opportunity was a little gift from God.

Randomact wrote: Oh why oh why do people judge, do look beyond the cover there may be a wonderful but sad story there..... As you said "There but for the Grace of God"....The sun will shine on you today x

Bluxess wrote: thank you for reserving the racing heart that usually finds it easier to judge people who seem wicked ... your kindness to helping this soul goes beyond my ability to share the capacities with which humans are born ... Know what, I get a feeling she will remember you for all her life ... She may see you wherever you are once again ... your kindness must have overwhelmed her ... You are a beautiful person, my friend.

ETSETH wrote: Lovely lovely story... all the simple, powerful and beautiful ingredients of life were there! the qualities you showed were amazing, and the dignity and pride you restored in her were priceless!
Blessings and namaste
xxx

starryskies wrote: Wow, you're a kindness angel! Truly inspiring. Thanks for sharing your story with us! :)

1golddragonfly wrote: Bravo! Bravo! Fantastic work!

ttownknitiot wrote: You are a beautiful person and this kindness will come back to you tenfold, I have no doubt! Blessings to you.

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