This past weekend, I went to spend the weekend in Milton to babysit my girlfriend’s children. On my way there I stopped off at a Second Cup downtown to pick up a latte. As I placed my order from the corner of my eye I saw someone, I was lost in my thoughts and was startled when I realized she was speaking to me. I was startled because I didn’t know anyone was talking to me, I was so deep in thought.
I look over and see a young woman, homeless pregnant.
She says: ” You don’t have to be scared I am not going to ask you for money, I was wondering if you would be able to buy me a coffee. I am 17 years old, homeless, pregnant with twins. My hands and fee are swollen its so cold outside.”
She proceeds to show me her swollen hands and fee. My heart sinks, I know I have to help this girl but I don’t know what to do. I feel the tears building up but I don’t wanna cry. I wanna hug her, I am scared for her. ( I am very sensitive when it comes to these things)
So I look at her and respond ” You probably shouldn’t be drinking coffee, do you want a tea?”
She smiles the biggest smile and agrees. I order her tea, as I go to pay for it the second cup cashier (who by the way was being so rude before) smiles and says its ok its on the house. The young lady looks at me and thanks me over and over again.
She says: “Thank you, I am pregnant with twins, I am going to have a boy and a girl”
I walk away, and as I am walking away I start to cry because I start to think to myself that I didn’t really help her. What is going to happen to her 15 min after she finishes drinking that tea? I can’t help but think, could I have done more? I call my friend as I am crying explaining this to her and she immediately calmed me down by saying “You did more than most people did, you cared. Because you cared, the cashier cared as well”
I write this not to show my great deed, I write this to show you that the smallest things can go a long way. Even if you think that its not much the simple fact that you took a moment to help someone else can go a long way for that person. I won’t forget the way her face illuminated when she saw that I actually offered to buy her a tea.
Never hesitate to help someone, you may be the only light of hope they have.
