Be Thankful Today

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt) 11/24/2016 at 12:27 • Filed to: None

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For there are those of us who are less fortunate than we are. Below is a story I shared in a comment the other day. Bit of a long one, so sit back.

So I pulled into my local Walmart one Sunday afternoon a couple of months ago. I noticed an older man in a wheelchair sitting out by the exit. This is where most of the panhandlers hang out during the day in my city. This guy seemed different, though. He wasn’t holding a sign. He wasn’t trying to wave people down. He was just sitting there.

Normally when I see people out there I just keep going. Something was different this time, though. I kept looking over in his direction until I went inside and got whatever it waa I went there for. The whole time I had this feeling that I should go talk to this person. I couldn’t shake it. By the time I left, I made my mind up that I was going to go and speak to this guy and hear his story. I walked out of the store and looked in the direction where he was sitting. He was gone.

I actually got mad with myself. I felt so selfish that I didn’t just go and talk to him before I went in. I got in my car and left out of the lot, still cursing myself. That’s when I saw him.

He had moved behind another building. As I passed him, he kindly waved and I knew it was now or never. I wheeled around and parked my car, then hopped out and ran across three lanes of taffic. When I made it to him, I told him I didn’t know what it was, but I had to come talk to him. So I sat on the corner right next to traffic coming in and out of Walmart, and listened to his story.

His name was Rodney and he and his family were from the coast. He lost both legs just below the knee several years ago and was on disability. His house was damaged by Katrina and they never were able to get it fixed because they couldn’t afford it. They decided to move north so his wife and son in law could find work. So they loaded up what they could into Rodney’s truck and he, his wife, his pregnant daughter and son in law and their kids, and headed north. That’s when the wreck happened.

His truck was totaled. Now they all were homeless and without any transportation. They found a cheap motel to stay in, but he did admit some nights they all had to sleep outside if they didn’t get enough money that day. It was around this time his son in law walked up. He was out there as well, asking for money further up the road. The young guy had been applying for jobs and was hoping he would get one soon. Rodney’s wife had been doing the same, though I don’t remember if it was mentioned on if she had heard anything. As bad as everything was, Rodney told me that he had a lot to be thankful for. He had his family and the will to keep going.

By this time I had been sitting there for almost an hour. I was beside myself. I knew I had a lot going on, but it paled in comparison to what this family had gone through. I left them long enough to go and get 20 bucks and bring it back to Rodney. He was crying when I gave it to him. Hell, so was I.

We talked a few more minutes before I had to go. As I got up, the son in law wanted to say a prayer, so we held hands and did just that, right next to a busy road full of Walmart traffic. I’m sure we were getting odd looks by people driving by, but I didn’t care. The whole thing was just surreal. We all said goodbye after that, then I gave them both a hug. I walked back to my car and left, thankful of what all just happened. I realized I needed that moment as much as they did.

I know most stories don’t go this way, but for all the garbage ordeals out there, it’s nice to know there are a few good people left in this world. So remember those who are less fortunate as you go about your day and be thankful of what you have.

$kaycog > Matt Nichelson 11/24/2016 at 12:41

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Amen to that.

Wheelerguy > Matt Nichelson 11/24/2016 at 12:49

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And just like that, my faith in humanity is restored to 100%.

TheHondaBro > Matt Nichelson 11/24/2016 at 13:00

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Great, now I feel like a dick.

Matt Nichelson > Wheelerguy 11/24/2016 at 13:55

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It’s the little things in life. For all the bad that’s going on, there’s still some good.

Matt Nichelson > TheHondaBro 11/24/2016 at 13:59

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No need to feel that way. Sometimes we all just need to take a step back and look past all the negativity in the world today and focus on the good aspects of life.