Over spring break we took our older son to one of our favorite local haunts. There you could bite into a hearty hamburger, or take your teeth out for a piece of flavorful fish. Of course our twenty four year old son was the youngest person in the restaurant, and I came in second.
While we were finishing our meal, we heard a large gasp at the table behind us. Apparently the bus boy brought over the man's walker, and his legs buckled as he tried to stand up. Fortunately, the fast acting bus boy caught the elderly man in time.
The whole incident happened so quickly, before anyone else had a chance to react. Though the family was grateful, I was surprised that more fuss wasn't made.
The next family to leave had another man in a walker whose wife wasn't taking any chances. She walked beside her husband holding onto the back of his belt. He didn't even seem to mind that she was giving him a wedgie.
As we were leaving I told the middle-aged bus boy that he was a hero. He humbly replied, "I was just doing my job."
I love hearing stories about unsung heroes, people who don't need to brag about the good work that they've done.
ReplyDeleteThe best people never think being a good person and doing good things is a big deal.
ReplyDeleteCynthia - He really behaved like an "unsung hero," and it was a privilege to meet him.
ReplyDeleteRuth - You described him perfectly. It's true that he probably thought that it was just part of his daily routine.
Julie
There are many unsung hero's pleased help was on hand for the gentleman.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I like that, when he just said, "I'm just doing my job." And how true that is, because then everyone can be a hero, is a hero just by doing their job well. Beautiful story, Julie. And Julie, I also would like to say thank you so much for leaving us a comment on our page, and joining our page. That give us such encouragement with our blogging. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYvonne - He really was a lifesaver! Thanks Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteAlternative Foodie - It's my pleasure to follow you, and thanks for the kind words.
Julie, it was lovely that you also acknowledged him I think it is so important to appreciate what others do around us without thinking, and that your words would have been appreciated by him. Blessings for the week. Amanda
ReplyDeleteThe hero in you recognised (and acknowledged) the hero in him. Nice story.
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to see something like that. A reminder that not everyone is out for themselves.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Awe...
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
If most of the patrons were elderly he probably performed 'his job' several times a week. Still, I think it's nice that you commended him. Sometimes people are so good about what they do and so quiet about it that folks tend to overlook their service.
ReplyDeleteHe may say he was just doing his job, but I'll bet it isn't in his job description as a bus boy. It may be in his life's job description! Wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteA kind deed should not be considered heroic, but rather the human thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely story. I've just been visiting an elderly relative who's in a care home and I'm amazed at the love and attention she - and all the others - receive from the staff. Their patience is limitless. Amazing people indeed (love the wedgie part!)
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely story! So many heroes in the world.
ReplyDeletemy blog: morgankatz505.blogspot.com
Humble heroes are everywhere. How nice your son got to witness the simple act of helping another with no fuss--no greater way to learn such selflessness. Happy H Day!
ReplyDeletetm
i agree--our greatest heros, don't even know they are--great story :)
ReplyDeleteHe's probably had to do that a lot, but that doesn't make it any less amazing.
ReplyDeleteAlways nice to see people -not- looking for praise for doing good deeds.
They probably appreciated the way it was kept low profile to minimal embarrassment. Giving him a wedgie! That made me laugh. Although we should not be laughing. That'll be us before we know it!!
ReplyDeleteStrange that I'm reading this today because just this Sunday an elderly man fell at our Morning Market. It's an outdoor street market with lots of bustle, but the only person to lend a hand was another older person, a woman who is a regular vendor. By the time I reached them, she had the man on his feet and was telling him he needed a walker or he was going to break something. Sage advice from one elder to another. No wedgies involved in this rescue.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Humble heroes are the best.
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying the challenge.
Cheryl
http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2013/04/blogging-from-to-z-april-challenge_9.html
Great story.. you don't find many people out there like that.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - I thought he deserved lots of credit for going out of his way to help this family. Thanks Amanda!
ReplyDeleteIda - I was just an appreciative bystander. Thanks Ida!
Mooderino - It's true that so many people are too busy rushing around to help anyone else.
Shelly - It was a very moving experience.
Delores - He does have a quiet elegance about him.You could tell that he probably has a very hard life, but he would never complain. Thanks Delores!
Donna - I like "his life description." He was definitely raised right. Thanks Donna!
Arleen - Unfortunately, so many people are off in their little worlds that they often forget to do "the human thing," or simply don't want to be bothered. I still consider this man to be a hero not only for what he did, but for the way he did it.
What a nice story. And I've been in restaurants like that where I feel like a youngster compared to the rest of the patrons LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it happens often there. However, good on him for jumping in and assisting. That is beyond his job.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right Alex. Thanks for making so much effort to stop by when I know how incredibly swamped you are. It's perfectly understandable if you need to lighten your load. Even Ninjas need their rest.
DeleteSusan - It's great that's she's getting the care she needs, and it does take a lot of patience. Thanks Susan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Morgan!
Ornery - I was also glad he was there, though he's always been very helpful with our elderly relatives. Thanks Ornery!
Lynn - That's the best part. Thanks Lynn!
Mark - I couldn't agree more.
Rosalind - Good point! I think it's still okay to laugh a little.
Lee - She must have been in pretty good shape. Talk about heroes! I hope he took this wonderful woman's advice. Great last line!
Cheryl - They are, and I am enjoying the challenge. Thanks Cheryl!
Cathy - That's what makes it so special.
Julie - I would rather be in a restaurant with good food than great atmosphere. Ideally it's nice to find both. Well that probably added about twenty years to my age!
Quick thinking and acting on the bus "boy"'s part!
ReplyDeleteWe have been to restaurants where our hair is the darkest there, and we are the most nimble customers.
Great of the bus boy. The elderly man could have gotten seriously hurt if not for him.
ReplyDeleteWhen he was a boy he wanted to grow up to be a hero, and he did.
ReplyDeletethose humble heroes! ;)
ReplyDeleteSusan - Nimble is good. BTW, that's one of my "N" words!
ReplyDeleteMisha - You never know what could happen from a fall at that age.
Gemma - I'll bet you're right!
Adriana - Thank goodness we have them!
I just hope that there's a bus boy like that at a restaurant I go to.
ReplyDeleteI'm not needing a walker yet, though.
Yet.
"I was just doing my job." Isn't that just like a hero. God bless, Maria at Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteAl - Hopefully, you'll never need a walker. Besides, you're too young to go to the restaurants I frequent.
ReplyDeleteIt feels good to help others. That's the greatest reward, beyond any recognition.
ReplyDeleteMaria - He was a hero in every way.
ReplyDeleteAl - Spoken like a true hero!
Wonderful. He is a hero. I love meeting people like him, good work ethic.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie .. being prepared - some people just are like that, but so good for him and good for others to see the care taken.
ReplyDeleteFun to read .. hanging on to his pants giving him a wedgie .. he's probably just grateful that he's able to get out and about still .. and his wife has a sensible head on her!
Cheers Hilary
Bless that boy who helped the man stay upright. And, he's so unassuming that he didn't do anything special. I suspect some would have let him slump to the floor and stood around wondering what they could do. My girlfriend in town did that one morning as we were leaving breakfast in a local restaurant. Her husband caught her as she mumbled something about feeling faint. The staff was extra nice too and called for an ambulance right away. Nice to see this young man helping.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story to hear. It seems like we really hear of any goodness and kindness any more. Thanks for sharing - this brightened my night.
ReplyDeleteI'm playing catch up!
ReplyDeleteThere's a hero inside everyone of us... it's the everyday little acts of goodness around us that count...
Great story!
Writer In Transit
This shows the best part of being human. Thanks for sharing!
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