Thank You for Saving 2011

A man performed a random act of generosity for me today, saving this putrid year from going out in an unmitigated stink. It was a simple experience, but it is this kind of rare moment that allows me to breathe in a life that is too often pressing down on me. I am usually thinking about the state of the economy in general – and in particular how nastily it is impacting on my own peeps; about the pandemic of cancer among women while those in power wage a war on women and our bodies; about the difficulty in distinguishing between Democrats and Repuglicans. I’ll stop there.

Today I went out grocery shopping. I parked in Davis Square (Somerville, MA) to pick up some meat at McKinnons. I keep a roll of quarters in my car for the meters and I took out two. Somehow, though, I clutched the quarters in my hand as I started to cross the street to the grocery shop.

Behind me I heard someone say “She forgot to put money in the meter,” and I stopped in the middle of the street and turned around. There’s a guy who occupies a bench on that street pretty regularly. He is homeless and he quietly holds out an empty paper cup in case anyone wants to help him out. He had jumped up and I watched him dig a quarter out of his cup and start to put it in my meter.

I rushed back and tossed both of my quarters in, instead, thanking him almost inarticulately for his bigheartedness. As I set out again for the store, he said, “Look, they come around constantly, so I try to keep my eye on these two meters here, ‘cause I sit right here and I can help. If the meter runs out while you’re shopping, I’ll take care of it. ”

When I returned to my car with my bag, I pressed a couple of bills in his hand and wished him a warm and safe New Year. He didn’t have to make a sweet gesture to a stranger, but it is my experience in life that those who don’t have share, and those that do have try to get some more. In my mind he (and the Occupy movement, of course) has single-handedly rescued the reputation of 2011.

Comments

[Shirley Moskow]

Once again, we see that it doesn't take lots of money or time or effort to help or make another person feel good. A small gesture can make a big difference. If everyone would be a little kinder, the world would be a different place.

Have a great 2012,
Shirley

[Gema Gray]

What a sweet story, Katz. Thanks for sharing.

[Sue Katz]

Dearests Gema and Shirley, I posted this piece on Facebook and got well over a dozen responses. I think it is a sign of how desperate we all are for that "small gesture" you refer to Shirley, in times when presidential candidates permit themselves to say the most vicious nasty things and times are generally so hard. Thanks for writing. Happy new year to you both.

[Allen Young]

The special effort made by many people in the Athol-Orange area during this holiday season (and, trust me, also year-round) to help those in need always impresses me. I really hate the way many allegedly sophisticated liberals in the Amherst-Northampton area look down upon this area as some sort of horrid Appalachian hell where a gay man or lesbian wouldn't dare reside. They don't have a clue.

[Sue Katz]

I didn't know anything about that dynamic Allen. Do you think it's a class thing? Town/country thing? Have you written about this? Perhaps you should.

[Joan Price]

What a lovely story! Thank you for recognizing how rare and wonderful this was -- and sharing it with us.

[Sue Katz]

Thanks Joan. Mostly I run through the world in a state of rage, so it's nice when I'm taken by surprise by something so positive.

[Stan Eichner]

Thanks for sharing that sweet story. Happy New Year.

[Sue Katz]

On Facebook I've had such an avalanche of responses to this posting, that it makes me sad to see how infrequently we experience unanticipated generosity. Huge hugs, Stan.