Small Acts of Kindness

Jan 27, 2016 at 20:03

Today I learned some valuable lessons. In fact the lesson may have just saved someone's life.

As I pulled up at my usual spot on the river to go paddling i noticed a man acting strangely. I didn't think much about it as i was deep in my own personal thoughts. I unloaded the kayak, collected my gear and as i climbed into the kayak I watched the strange behaviour of the man in the water. Again i continued in my own little world. It wasn't until one of the locals appeared beside me that I took more notice. I paddled out to where the man was stumbling around and swimming head down. I wondered if he was snorkelling, then realised it was a pair of glasses he was wearing.

The man that first noticed him further down river came out to check on our new friend. The three of us tried to persuade him to return to shore. It turned out he was drunk, basically legless. The other two attempted to help him to his feet. It was pointless, he was unstable and not able to stay up for long. We continued to chat with him. He told us his mother had died recently and his dad had gone blind. Tom, the man how first say our friend Larry, decided he would get his car and drive him home. Larry was a little resistant at this point. Another young couple having a picnic also became concerned for our friends safety.

I suggested I would take him back up river to his father's house. He was able to stay on his canoe, but soon ran out of steam. I ended up towing him the final 500 or so metres. He was a jovial chap and when I offered him some water, he drank a little, when rummaged through his plastic garbage bag and swigged some vodka. This is when i knew for sure it was alcohol and not the side effects of some drug.

We finally arrived at his fathers house. He managed to stagger to the back gate. We put the canoe way and as we entered the back veranda a very concerned woman was standing there. Not sure if it was the right house the obvious question was "Do you know this man". The fear in her eyes turned to tears. Her words were "He has made a very big mistake". She thanked me and I discreetly went back to my kayak and paddled back. It turned his mother had died two years previously. Larry's condition may have been far worse that it first appeared. As I paddled back down river I wondered if the Small Acts of Kindness may have just saved a mans life. One will never know.

The young couple were still there when i returned and we chatted and they thanked me for taking care of Larry.

At that point I thanked them, the Saving of Larry had been a team effort of people with one common bond, the welfare of our new friend. The random lacks of concern of a small band of people possibly means Larry lives to drink another day. We will possibly never reconnect as a group ever again, but the act of looking out for our fellow man has bonded us all. Our friend most likely will never remember who helped him on this day, it does not matter.

Today i learned to be more thoughtful for my fellow man and stay aware and observant to those around me.

It taught me when I see someone acting a little different, take the time to check in make sure they are OK.

Today i saw the power of a few good people making a difference. 

Today i saw the bond that binds one human to another, a bond that is growing stronger in the world today. 

Today i saw love applied to a situation that enriched the lives of all that were there. 

Our friend is tonight home safe, i will most likely never see him again, but i am grateful to him and the others who contributed to his welfare for the lessons in consideration, kindness and being bothered to make difference.

Tonight i am grateful for a lesson well learned.