Saturday, June 18, 2011

Unsung Heroes...

Man on the Street
Theodore Gericault

Despite all actions to the contrary in recent days, I believe in the goodness of people. I think we all possess empathy and compassion towards our fellow man.  Yesterday as I was walking along a street in Vancouver, I saw a homeless man who had collapsed on his knees.  His hair was stringy and unkempt, his clothes were dirty and torn, and he looked as if he had fallen to his lowest point in life; he was in the gutter.  A couple of men had rushed to his aid, one fellow holding his hand, talking to him soothingly, while the other called 911 Emergency.  The fellow holding the fallen man's hand was very large and rather intimidating, and I would imagine that in many parts of the world, unfortunately, he would be treated with a certain amount of suspicion.  And when he spoke, I had never heard such kindness.

"You will be okay, just try to breathe, and don't be frightened.  We're here with you and we're not going to leave you until the medics get here.  You're okay... you're okay..."

The fallen man was on his knees, and his jeans were exposing part of his buttocks.  Another man came out of his shop with a small piece of cloth and covered the exposed man's shame.  It struck me then what a kind, thoughtful gesture that was.  The two men stayed with the fallen man and held his hand until the ambulance arrived, and he was quickly taken away.

Every day there are unsung heroes in our midst. We never know who these good Samaritans are, or if we will one day need them ourselves. After witnessing the horror of the Vancouver riots, my faith in humanity was badly shaken, but it has once again been restored by these two kind men.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is the Canada and Canadians that I remember. Let's raise these men as heroes and examples for us all and throw the book at the recent rioters.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

A wonderful counter-point, to the last big news. -sigh-

~♥~

PinkPanthress said...

I am glad that in such a huge City, as Vancouver is, people still are so kind to a stranger (even though he might be in this situation by his own fault). :)

Kathryn said...

Unfortunately, the BAD stuff is food for the news reports.

I agree with you that people contain kindness and decency, and there are still those around who practice treating their fellow humans with grace.

Hilary said...

There is indeed goodness and kindness in everyone. We just need to look away from the news stories to see most of it.

Leslie: said...

Poor man...I hope he gets the help he needs to not only get healthy, but also to find a home and friends who will love and care for him until he gets back on his feet, so to speak. Those who helped him to not give up are the true backbone of our country.

Paula Slade said...

In light of the last several days, I'm glad you witnessed this act of kindness Jo. This is the true spirit of mankind that helps heal the weary soul when we need it the most.

Jennifer D said...

Beautiful story Jo. That is the Canada I have heard of.

Charlene said...

Thank you for telling us this.

At this moment, there are people kindly helping those they do not know in conditions that would keep others away. Lives are saved and hearts are turned away from evil because of their example.

Linda Myers said...

How gratifying you got to be there to watch their act of kindness.

DJan said...

Now that is the news story I would have loved to read about. Oh wait, I just did, and all because of you, Jo. Thank you for sending these kind and thoughtful images about your home into the blogosphere.

heartinsanfrancisco said...

I have always believed that true goodness does not seek acknowledgment or reward. And I also couldn't help but wonder if, in my country which does not provide medical care for all, an ambulance would have taken the poor man away at all.

Country Girl said...

I needed this today. How beautiful.

Nancy said...

Angels walk among us.

young-eclectic-encounters said...

Thanks for the reminder- a very heartwarming post
Johnina

young-eclectic-encounters said...

I was so touched by your post I put ba link to it on my blog
Johnina

EG CameraGirl said...

Thank you for sharing this story. It's wonderful when people respond to someone else's needs

Sueann said...

Thanks for sharing this beautiful moment with me!
Let us all be this kind to one another!
Congrats on your POTW
Hugs
SueAnn

Out on the prairie said...

This is a nice gesture, many of us forget to extend our hand.

TexWisGirl said...

that's really wonderful. thank you for sharing this bit of hope for humanity!

congrats on your POTW.

Steve Gravano said...

Beautiful story, it's not only nice to see strangers helping someone in need, but that you recognized them here in your blog. We need more news about the kindness of people and less attention about the bad stuff.

Moannie said...

The media is always quick to tell us of the bad things people do, but seldom give space to the majority of good people.
Nicely done.

POTW congrats in order.

Amanda said...

Lovely story