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Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 08:19 PM Aug 2019

I'm a little embarrassed, but I was on receiving end of a good deed today.

I don't talk about it much, but I have an incurable disease known as IPF (or Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis). It means that I have developed scar tissue on my lungs which restricts my breathing. You wouldn't have a clue if you saw me sitting on a park bench. I've slimmed down to my ideal weight, hair is thinning a bit but not bald, and all things considered I look pretty good. However I can't walk from one room to the next without getting short of breath.

So, when the Mrs. asks me to run to the store and pick up a few things, I'm more than happy to go, hang my handicapped placard on my rearview mirror and grab one of those electric shopping cards and get what we need. So today I had a pretty full cart and got into the checkout line. There was a woman ahead of me of didn't look a whole lot younger than me. She had loaded her groceries onto the belt and was waiting for the woman ahead of her to finish paying. She turned around to me and said: "Here, let me load your groceries onto the belt so you don't have to get up" and proceeded to do so.

Some people seem to think that if you don't have an obvious handicap you are riding in a card because you are lazy, or having fun. Others just assume if you are in a cart it is because you need one. The woman ahead of me in line was one of the latter. I thanked her for her concern and for assuming not all handicaps have to be visible to be real.

So thank you unknown shopper for being helpful to a stranger.

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm a little embarrassed, but I was on receiving end of a good deed today. (Original Post) Stonepounder Aug 2019 OP
I really really need a good deed toady. ret5hd Aug 2019 #1
Pretty sure that's a topy. dchill Aug 2019 #2
Recommended. guillaumeb Aug 2019 #3
I am so happy that a stranger reached out to you with warmth and kindness! FM123 Aug 2019 #4
Wonderful story! Thank you for sharing this good news, Stonepounder. littlemissmartypants Aug 2019 #5
Thank you for sharing a positive with us KPN Aug 2019 #6
Anonymous deeds of kindness are the best drugs on earth. KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2019 #7
I wish I had thought of that the other day MuseRider Aug 2019 #8
SOCIALISM! live love laugh Aug 2019 #9
... sheshe2 Aug 2019 #10
Thank You for sharing this story with us. Thanks Again. Stuart G Aug 2019 #11

guillaumeb

(42,649 posts)
3. Recommended.
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 08:36 PM
Aug 2019

It is easy to get caught in the trap of focusing only on Trump, and the GOP, but there is much good in the world.

FM123

(10,126 posts)
4. I am so happy that a stranger reached out to you with warmth and kindness!
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 09:02 PM
Aug 2019

And I am happy you shared this story with us, we need to hear more like this....

littlemissmartypants

(25,483 posts)
5. Wonderful story! Thank you for sharing this good news, Stonepounder.
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 09:34 PM
Aug 2019

It reminds me of an inspirational phrase I just learned: assume positive intent. ❤

KPN

(16,101 posts)
6. Thank you for sharing a positive with us
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 10:09 PM
Aug 2019

stonepounder. We need to hear these stories badly these days it seems.

I’m very sorry to hear of your IPF. My family has a history of IPF so I know exactly what you and your wife and family are going through. Sending you good vibes and making another contribution to the PF Foundation. God bless, take care and thanks so much for the positivity.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,595 posts)
7. Anonymous deeds of kindness are the best drugs on earth.
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 10:27 PM
Aug 2019

Depending on dosage, may help cure depression, sadness, emptiness, anxiety and social isolationism.

Take daily or as needed. No need to consult your doctor.

Thank you for sharing, Stonepounder.

KY........

MuseRider

(34,368 posts)
8. I wish I had thought of that the other day
Thu Aug 15, 2019, 10:37 PM
Aug 2019

when there was a man behind me with one of those carts. He probably could have used the help. To tell you the truth, I just wanted out of there he had run into be from behind 3 times standing in check out but if I had thought I would have helped him. He did not hit me on purpose, he probably did need the help.

Thank you for posting this, it made a difference with me and I will remember this. I was nice to the guy, not mean or nasty at all but still, he probably needed the help. Next time I will be that lady.

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