DO YOU offer to help strangers?

[klmall]

I always offer help when I see someone struggling or a woman with a stroller trying to get through a door. My parents taught me to look for opportunities to help others and I always do!

But I was amazed how things go unnoticed when you are on crutches like I was last year with a broken foot. Over and over I was practically trampled on and doors slammed on me when I dragged around on those crutches. Maybe because people have become seemingly immune to all the handicapped people in our suburban area I sometimes felt invisible. In our school parking lot parents waiting with children for a magnet bus in the morning would fill the handicapped spots while I circled with my temporary handicapped sticker looking for a spot. Eventually I started honking to get them to move. DH wanted me to call the police! If only they had known how agonizing it was to walk even 50 yards on crutches those six weeks!

It seemed rare for someone to actually hold a door open for me at the doctors or to even look where they walked in public places. Thank goodness the ortho removed my cast early and I could join the normal walking again!

 

[lecach]

It makes me feel really good to help people. Now that I am a Mom and need help a lot (opening doors, returning a cart to the store because I can't leave DS in the car alone, etc.) I think I am even MORE aware of others that need help. When I am out without my DS I always notice other Mom's that are putting their kids in the car and offer to return their carts. Or someone struggling to open a door.

One time I helped a lady in such a small way but her words will stay with me forever. We were at a grocery store, she was in front of me. As she was paying she said she didn't have her frequent customer card. So I handed mine to the clerk (the lady hadn't asked me but I just wanted to help). The lady said "that's the nicest thing someone has done for me all day". I told her I was glad I could help. You just never know what some small kindness will do for someone. That lady was having a really bad day and my one small thing had made her smile. That feels GOOD!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I do when I can.

 

[Fairy Dust]

Of course I do.

 

[Hercules10]

I know you were just teasing with this post, but as I was struggling with those darned shelves at Lowe's yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder that if I was a 21 year old size 2 leggy blonde..................

Teasing? ME?! Never!!!

Reality check: 21 y/o, size 2, leggy blonde wouldn't even HAVE to be in LOWES for shelving. She'd be doing her nails on the couch while me and the other pervs, get, purchase and install them for her.

 

[mommaU4]

I do try to help whenever I can and I am trying to teach my kids to help whenever and whomever they can as well.