Tuesday 27 January 2015

Heart-warming story

This may sound like I am trying to make myself sound like a human being, and - to a certain extent -  that's true, but it's much more of a heartwarming story for me.

There is a young woman, ex or not so ex junkie, Big Issue seller here, and she only has one arm. She's very pretty, in a Gormenghast sort of way, but that's not why I like her. I just like her, that's all, but she has a haunted look in her eyes.

I know she had a child a couple of years ago, and I know that child has been taken away from her.

Last night I was walking down the street, and I saw her standing there with tears streaming down her face. I hate seeing anyone cry, let alone adults or female adults, so I asked her what was wrong.

Some bastard had stolen all her clothes apart from the ones she stood in, stolen her iPad which she had for Christmas, and hit her.

I gave her £20 and she gave me a hug in return. Her tears dried up.

I got home and told H.I. and we both hoped she would not just rush off and spend it on smack. That was a real risk I took by giving her money, and I hope she would only spend half of it on drugs.

This morning, I bumped into her again and asked her if she was feeling better. She was dressed in a completely different outfit and actually looked quite glamourous. She said she had bought it all from a charity shop, but the boots were new and only cost £10. She had spent the entire sum I gave her on clothes. She said she felt much better today, and gave me another hug.

I was so bloody relieved and glad that I gave her a few quid - imagine how I would feel if I hadn't, through some understandable suspicion? My faith in human nature was restored this morning, together with my shaky faith in my own judgment.

30 comments:

  1. I know how you feel. I am always giving the girl at the station money and then I think she spends it on smack but then if I slept on the street I probably would but I spoke to her yesterday and she was looking better and she said she buys food when I give her money so I felt happier about it too. You are human and so am I, sometimes.

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  2. Good for you, Tom. When we see others suffering, and want to help, I don't think we should second guess that impulse. A gift is a gift, in my opinion, and if I feel like giving someone in need money, I don't worry about how they might spend it. That's their business. Even addicts deserve help and compassion...not judgement.

    Also, you're not fooling me, Tom....I know there's a soft heart underneath your tough exterior! :)

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  3. Good for you Tom. And good for her.

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  4. Dr Samuel Johnson is a rare hero of mine, and I believe that emulating your genuine heroes is no disgrace!

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    1. How funny I should mention Johnson, before the comments below!

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  5. Enormity- 'very great size or importance' as used since the 18th C. Hit delete instead of publish on your comment due to the enormity of my stressful day so it has gone. Didn't want you to think I didn't appreciate the (incorrect) lesson in grammar :o)

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    1. I don't know what dictionary you are consulting, but it's not a good one. I stand by my definition - 'enormity' always implies an element of evil, not just largeness. I do have a copy of Johnson's dictionary somewhere, but I can't be arsed to look it up.

      I won't delete your comment by way of revenge.

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    2. Oxford dictionary:

      [MASS NOUN] (the enormity of) The great or extreme scale, seriousness, or extent of something perceived as bad or morally wrong:

      'a thorough search disclosed the full enormity of the crime'

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    3. I would have thought you would be glad of the extra comment rather than deleting it - right or wrong...

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  6. OK, here's a history lesson now. Dr Johnson used to infuriate his wife by carrying home lame beggars (he was - like me - a large man) and instructing her to feed them while he went upstairs to continue his dictionary.

    I've been to his London house - it's wonderful.

    He bought a friend's black slave after his wife died, immediately freed him as a friend and companion, then gave to him all his estate after he himself died. Like I say, there are worse heroes to have.

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    1. Actually, I think a friend 'gave' him the 'slave' to fend-off loneliness after his wife's death, and I think that - after officially 'freeing' him - he referred to the man as his 'manservant' for the sake of 18th century decorum, but it all comes down to much the same thing.

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  7. You're a good man Mr Stephenson. My largesse towards 'beggars' has been mostly restricted to Morocco, where being elderly and disabled means you have NOTHING. My latent generosity finds it's way out.

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  8. You did the right thing and it worries me that I probably wouldn't have in your situation. I should make a mental note to be kinder.

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  9. That was sweet and generous. I feel that the world is losing its empathy with those in difficult straits, and the upper echelons of power are encouraging this. You not only made a big difference to this lass, you also poked those wankers in the eye by doing it!

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  10. Darling Tom,

    And, you really are a darling.....

    This was an act of pure humanity. Kindness is so often these days taken for weakness and that makes us very sad. To reach out to this girl in one of her darkest hours is to share a common humanity and that makes for greatness. There but for the grace of God.....

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  11. I had made a promise to Nick Warburton last year that rather than pay him for giving me recordings - on disc - of a complete series of his 'On Mardle Fen' (the best radio drama series ever, in my opinion), I would contribute twice as much as usual to the St Martin's in the Fields Christmas appeal for the homeless.

    Last year I called them up to donate, and got Cathy Clugston on the end of the phone, so this year I ignored the envelope appeal and hung-out to speak to Neil Nunes. They never set up a phone line so I didn't give them anything.

    So you see, I still need to get rid of another £20 before I fulfil my promise. Not worthy behaviour.

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  12. A gift from the heart can never be wrong to give.

    Thank you for the 'enormity' lesson! I looked the word up in my American Websters Collegiate Dictionary and in addition to verifying what you said, gave a very interesting and lengthy paragraph describing the history of its usage.and quotes from John Steinbeck and Thomas Dequincey. The implication being that the meaning has changed to its now more common usage of largeness though often implying immorality.

    That's Americans for you -- muddying the waters again!

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    1. I think the Count might have used an American dictionary.

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  13. Dear Tom,
    When we go to London, my husband gives to every busker/homeless person that he sees …… It started as a kind gesture but, I think it's become a bit of an OCD thing now !! XXXX

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    1. This has backfired on me already. Tonight as I was in the street, another male junkie came running up to me and feigned tears and desperation, saying that he needed to get back to Salisbury urgently and had just lost £20 in the street - could I help him?! Interesting it was £20.

      I said that I knew him and he didn't live in Salisbury. He said he had to visit his Gran.

      I told him to fuck off and he rushed over to another group of passers-by, shouting, "Has anyone found the £25 I just lost?!"

      Hmm....

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    2. Oh dear ….. what a shame but, it was a possibility. You can only do what you feel is right at the time. XXXX

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    3. Yes - I think I did right on both occasions!

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    4. I've encountered that same guy in Brighton. The first time I gave him some money, the following day I refused and I received a shower of abuse.

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    5. Was he trying to get to Bath when you saw him?

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