It Doesn't Stop With Umbrellas

--by liztree, posted Apr 6, 2008

I have a good friend, Tom, who keeps extra umbrellas in his car. On rainy days he drives by bus stops and hands free umbrellas to anyone who needs one.

Yesterday, a young man knocked on my door. He was canvasing the neighborhood setting up appointments for free window replacement estimates. He stood far from my door and spoke carefully. I knew why. Despite much progress, stereotypes are still very real. I knew this young African-American man was not getting a whole lot of doors opened in my neighborhood. I opened my door wide and we chatted for a few minutes. He visibly relaxed. Before he turned around to leave, I noticed it was about to rain. I asked him if he would be okay in the rain.

He told me that he needed to finish out the block before he could return to his car which was parked several blocks away. I thought of my friend Tom. I asked the young man to wait. I went to my hall closet, got an umbrella, and handed it to him. His eyes went wide. For a few seconds he didn't say anything, then he asked 'Are you sure?".

"Absolutely", I said.

He was so grateful for the umbrella and I was so grateful for the opportunity to give. (I wish I had remembered a smile card!)

Later that evening I was spending time Tom. A Cyndi Lauper song was playing and I shared with him that I was praying for a miracle to by able to buy tickets to her concert. (I know she is from the 80s, but I love her!). Things have been a little (okay, a lot) tight financially and I couldn't justify the expense.

I looked over at Tom and he had the strangest look on his face. Finally he said, "I was going to make it a surprise, but I can't keep it a secret any longer. I ordered two tickets for you and Alex to go to the concert. I did this because I know it will make you so happy and also because I know you will pay it forward."

By the time I told him the umbrella story we were both almost in tears. If we hadn't been out in public, we would have been bawling.

Next week, Tom and I will begin volunteering at center for single parents and the circle of giving will continue.

5891 Reads

Posted by liztree
Apr 6, 2008
Comments (34)

Readers Comments

makesomeonesmile wrote: What a great story, thanks for sharing!

AURELIA wrote: You are Wonderful Liztree! and so is Tom. I am sure you will be blessed many times over for being so kind and caring. Enjoy Cyndi Lauper...after all...Girls just want to have FUN!!!! ~Aurelia :0)

helpinghand wrote: I appreciate the humanitarian gesture of yours and Tom. God bless you.

JuneBug wrote: I love Cindy Lauper too! You sure deserve to go to the concert!!!! :}

Sam wrote: It is nice to see that people still care and it's the little things that make the biggest difference. You & Tom sound like you are a force to be reckoned with. I am now motivated to do something nice for someone. Keep up the great work

liztree wrote: You are my sunshine ......

Bill wrote: What a story, simple, but yet so effective. I hope more people read this and take the lead. Not only is this an easy thing to do, but it makes you feel so good inside doing it. Hats off to Liztree and Tom, the next Dynamic Duo!! Keep up the great things are are doing.

jojomcb wrote: Awesome. I hope you enjoy the concert. Tom is your angel.

lovebug wrote: Just a beautifully written story. Kind, generous, warm and inviting, you even told us about one of the mysteries on how to become a really happy person. I did have to go to my dictionary to find the right word to describe you, but I did find it. Joyful. Is that because you learned to share the kindness and love you have with others? YES. That would be my answer. What you give to others will return to you 10 fold. I think your joy juice is splashing on the rest of us. I even got a drop or two. Great job done. PEACE

jeri wrote: Talk about making a difference in someone's day. I bet that young man was smiling the rest of the block. You and Tom are wonderful examples to follow.

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