Today, on my (long) round trip to visit my handicapped sister, who has managed to break her leg, and my uncle (the one I've posted about before), I filled up the car with petrol. And discovered that I'd left all my money, credit cards etc. at home.
It was one of those "this can't be happening" moments. I was exactly half-way, my poor sister was expecting me (my uncle no longer expects anyone or anything, but I wanted to see him), and there I was with a full tank but without any means of payment.
I offered my engagement ring as a hostage; I told them I knew my card number and wouldn't that do? No. Apparently it wouldn't
The the man behind me - a total stranger - came forward and offered to pay (nearly £60) for my petrol with his card. I was overwhelmed by this act of trust and generosity, and, oddly, it made my day.
Would I have done the same for someone else? I don't know. I'd like to think I would, but then again, I suppose it would depend. Needless to say, I phoned John right there and then, and asked him to send off a cheque and a thank-you. But tomorrow I shall write a note myself.
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What a nice man! I can see how his kindness could have turned a rotten experience into a good one.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful Frances. I couldn't imagine that happening in our town, but then again? If you wrote that into a story it wouldn't be believable. It's made my day as well.
ReplyDeleteA lovely experience. I believe if you look for the good in people, you find it. Ditto the bad, and too many people now live the latter existence.
ReplyDeleteIt's experiences like that that remind us that our society isn't going to hell in a handcart after all and that we are all still capable of acts of almost random generosity.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!
What a wonderful, life-afirming story, and that man is now the hero of your blog, and probably of all your readers!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone. I still can't quite get over it. In a world where people never, ever (in my experience) admit to bashing into one's car (we have to park in the street, so I know!), it's amazing that this kind of thing can happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone else has said. A true angel in disguise! You'll have to write the book now, in which the damsel in distress marries the good Samaritan who rescues her at the filling station! That's if I don't steal it and write it first! (As if I would...)
ReplyDeleteMy sister who is apparently a follower of your blog sent me the link as I wrote about the same subject - http://growingyoungereachday.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/paying-it-forward-a-cascade-of-cooperation/. How wonderful that that complete stranger should be there at that exact time. No coincidence just synchronicity.
ReplyDeleteYou know your card number?!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble even remembering my various PINs!
Hydra, you are welcome to that novel! I'm still recovering from my last one.
ReplyDeleteGrowingyoungereachday (how nice that sounds!)), thanks for your comments.
Hi, Tim. Of course I know my number. I'm a woman. Shopping's what we do! As for PINs, I make them into mnemonics.
As an addendum to my post, that lovely man phoned last night to say he'd received our cheque, and to ask whether I was all right. Words (almost) fail me...
That was a spectacular act of generosity and trust. I would love to think I would have done the same, but I'm not sure I would have. Unexpected kindness makes my day more than anything else.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joanna. If it weren't for that kind man, I would probably still be imprisoned just south of Salisbury trying to explain myself...
ReplyDelete