Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Yesterday I was in the grocery store and ran into an old client.  (I worked in Social Services for 14 years and recently left to pursue other things).  This particular person had been a very abrasive, beligerant and loud client, which intimidated some of the staff.  Somehow I became the person who was best at dealing with these sorts of folks and I was called to the front desk to talk with him.  He was tall and, well, scary looking.  Wild hair, missing teeth, buggy eyes.  I brought him to my office where he began crying and we talked about his life and what he needed help with.  I then did my job, and helped him to the best of my ability.  He soon found employment and went on his way and was one of my best success stories and I was proud of it. 

This was over 4 years ago.

Anyway, yesterday he saw me at the store and came up to ask me what was up down at the local social services office.  To which I replied that I did not know, as I was no longer working there.  He asked what I was doing now and I said this and that, and joked "being broke!"  We laughed and talked for a minute and then he went on his way.  I was actually relieved.

A couple minutes later, I was still shopping and saw him coming toward me down the aisle I was on.  He stopped and sorta leaned toward me and asked, "Do you need some help?" then he pulled out a big wad of cash out of his shirt pocket, and continued, "cuz I can help."

I replied, "Noooo, thank you, really, I'm fine!"  I was shocked.

"Oh, OK," he said, "cuz you mentioned being broke and I just thought that maybe I could help you out, like you helped me out once."

"That's very kind of you," I replied, "but really, I'm fine."

Then he looked straight at me and said, "Well, I wouldn't have this if it weren't for you.  When I really needed help you were there and I thought if you could use help, I could help."

I thanked him again, and told him it was a kind gesture, but I didn't really need help.  He left and I continued shopping.  Or tried.  It was a very touching gesture coming from such a gruff person and it made me cry. 

I had helped many people over the years and he was one of the most difficult and challenging customers I had to deal with, yet successful.  He could never get along with anyone else at the office, they refused to help him because he was rude, loud and plain scary.  Shortly after I left, he went there and ended up being banned from ever coming back because of his attitude. 

It just reminds me that taking time and showing enough kindness to get through to a person does make a difference.  I didn't need help, but this person wanted to help me, years later.  I had other clients who wanted to pay me or the agency back, but none meant as much as this person's gesture.