Sometime last week, I was driving on Philadelphia Road and just as I was about to make a right turn into the shopping center (where Walmart is), I recognized the walk of someone that I used to know. I did not see his face, but as soon as I saw him walking, I concluded that it had to be my former classmate from high school. As far as I can remember, the last time I saw him was sometime during our 12th grade. I don’t even remember if he graduated.
I honestly don’t remember his name, but for the sake of this post, let’s call him Darius. Darius and I went to the same high school – Parkville High School, Baltimore, MD – and we even rode the same school bus because we lived streets apart from each other. I never had much communication with him, apart from a casual hello here and there, mostly because I was very, very shy of boys in high school. He used to be friends with Steve, the guy that my friend, Solachi used to have a massive crush on. I literally stalked Steve on the hallways, just because of Solachi. She always wanted to know where he was, what he was doing, and what he was wearing. But he always wore the same thing: Navy blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
Darius was disabled. I don’t know what happened to his legs, but he always walked like someone who was in a semi squatting position and walking at the same time. That was why I recognized his walk that day in front of Walmart. When I drove past him – his back was facing me – I went to the ATM to get some money that I needed, so I decided to get some money for him, too.
I drove back to where he was, double-parked my car and had a conversation with him. He did not remember at first from where he knew me, but my face looked familiar to him (he said). It was the strangest thing for me, as the hairs on my neck were literally standing high.
I’m used to seeing beggars on the streets, but I am not used to seeing my classmates on the street. We talked. He was very, very pleasant. He laughed, told me several times that I was still pretty and that I should stay pretty. I did not have the courage to ask him what happened. I wanted so badly to ask, what happened, where did it go wrong, how long have you been here, and is there anything else I can do to help? But I did not ask. I didn’t know how to ask.
I gave him the money and we chatted some more. We couldn’t talk long because I was literally double-parked on the road, and there were now a fleet of cars lined up behind me. No one honked for me to get out of their way, but I knew I was being rude by blocking them, and I appreciated their patience. There is no way I would double-park my car in Nigeria (and block other motorists) without someone honking at me, calling me a buffoon, and possibly coming to my hand-bang my trunk (boot) and order me to get out of the way because the road is not my father’s palour. But it didn’t happen that day with Darius.
It really, really bothered me. I couldn’t stop wondering what happened along the way. And I thanked God that I was able to help him, even if it was just to have dinner that night. When things like this happen, I am reminded again just how blessed I am. Usually, when I see beggars on the street (in America), I wonder how an American-born citizen ended up on the street, while I, a Nigerian citizen got to be in a car and give him money. I feel an obligation to help anyone that I can.
Maybe I’m being over dramatic about Darius being on the street, but for me, it is something completely new. I have never, ever seen someone I know on the street. And he was so struck pleasant! There he was, standing on the street, holding up a cardboard placard begging for money [in the cold], and he still had the strength to laugh with me and have a conversation with me? What’s my excuse then?
Life can be so cruel.
God bless your soul, I really feel sorry for him too, only God knows what happened to him. Situations like this makes one remember God’s goodness and i am glad you did what you did.
Amen. Thank you, Atoskin. I, too, kept thinking about God’s goodness to me that day 🙁
Wow. There’s always something to thank God for. I would have wanted to ask too… Maybe, if u feel led or something, u could drive there one day and see how u can help him. Asides giving him money.
I’m humbled tho…
Omotee, I’ll ask him, if I see him again. I just didn’t know how to say it that day.
You should have asked him what happened…next time you see him please ask you never know how much more you may be able to help him just by asking good on you Vera for helping out! Please ask next time if you see him remember give a man a fish and you will keep giving but give him a fishing net and he can go fishing himself.
You’re right, Pendo. I’ll ask him next time. I was just so shocked to see him that I didn’t know how to ask … or if it will be an offensive question even.
You try Vera. God bless you. But ask next time cos you never know if you might be able to help.
Thank you, Ola. Will definitely ask him next time.
Good to have you back, Vera. You have done a wonderful thing and will be greatly rewarded by God (Helping the poor/needy, widows, etc). No pressure, but is it possible to seek him out next time to know how you can help? Be careful too…every good deed deserves safety measures as well. You’re a blessing, Vera! 🙂 *virtual kiss*
Thank you, and Amen. Everyone here has pretty much said the same thing – that I should ask him next time – so I’ll be on the lookout for him, and if I ever see again, I will ask.
Dear Vera, I have been a lurker (according to my Prof, a lurker is one who benefits from a discussion but never contributing, lol) on your blog for a long time now. But I must say that this post is particularly touching to me. You see, in recent times, I look back at where I am coming from and where I am today (which may not be far up but still), and all I can say is that I give thanks. I am not one to go all spiritual on general issues like this but I know that it is only by His grace. I ask myself, why am I here, why does it seem like I am taking only all the right steps, why do things just fall in place for me and not some other people that we started out together. Sometimes I am in my car and I just burst into tears and songs of thanksgiving for where I am today. I also say prayers for those who are still struggling for their dreams to come true. May our aspirations never become just fantasies and may our dreams never remain just that.
Awwwwwwwww. Thank God for you, AutoPrincess. I, too, have days when I cry out of joy. In my case, honestly, it’s not that things have gone smoothly for me, but it’s the fact that things have worked out in spite of the bumps along the way, and there hasn’t been a single time when I have figured out how it all worked out. So I just thank God because I don’t understand it but I am grateful for it.
And your prof is very right. Stop lurking! Lol. Thank you for contributing today.
God bless you Vera.
Amen. Dalu Halle 🙂
I was on the phone with Vera (kai, i am always on the phone with Vera) that night and heard it all go down
while we were busy planning a pity party for him….
homeboy shocked the hella-outta me with his high spirit… in fact, very high spirit.
he had a conversation, gave compliments and was very thankful. He also wasn’t apologetic for his situation (well, he didn’t it as neither did he wear it as a mask)
Today wasn’t the best of days for me as i realized i’m getting a permanent deduction (health insurance increase) from my check. I was upset and pissed at d same time
but i am thankful. Thankful that iv’e got a job and i’ve got food… GREAT food on my table and an awesome awesome support system.
Somebori should alleluia!! Yes, Fufu, you’re always on the phone with me. What is up with that? You don’t have anything to do abi? Can’t blame you sha; I’m just too awesome. Tehehe. May God give us the wisdom to thank Him in all situations. Amen.
WOW… lesson learnt from this…still I wonder what happened to him 🙁
Sisi, I wonder, too, but if I see him again, I will definitely ask.
Your act of kindness will definitely not go unrewarded, Vera. This struck a chord in me, very touching.
Amen! Thank you, Abiola.
I ran a Google search on this theme and I must say it really captured how I felt when a former classmate told me this morning that she saw another high school classmate of ours in a Bus park- Blind and Begging!!
Planning to go see him there tomorrow. I shed tears, hope to control my emotions when I get there.