There's Hope for Us All

This afternoon I witnessed the dignity and decency of us humans. If you were to believe the glum news reports of crime filled streets, racism, intolerance and fear, then you would be predisposed to assume that most strangers are potential perpetrators at worst and at best one who doesn't want to get involved. But today I saw the opposite of that.

An elderly woman had fallen on the footpath near our home. We were on our way out when we noticed a small crowd of people standing around. The people were offering to help her but somehow couldn't quite figure how or how much should they really help any stranger. Bea springs into action, gets out of the car and kneels down beside the woman so that she would be at her eye level. The poor woman was confused and started having a mild panic attack. Young Greek Fellow Who Spends A Lot of Time At The Gym suggests to lay her down in the recovery position, everyone agreed. This was my first contribution, I dashed back to the car (where our Little Angel was still strapped to her child seat) and found the pillow so the woman doesn't have to lay her head on concrete.

"I fell."
"It hurts."
"It's never happened before."
"I got scared."
"I feel silly."
"I don't want to be [any] trouble."
"I'm sorry, I fell..."

She kept repeating in varying sequence.  Now this was when I thought of my second contribution.  I needed to get Little Angel out of the car because a) Looks like we're going to be here awhile; and b) a cute little toddler toddling around will help lift the energy of the crowd.Yes, I used my kid for crowd control. Go on and judge me.

I took a mental picture of what was before me:

• An old Italian woman who had fallen over.
• Two young Greek buddies who noticed it happen and came to offer help.
• Two Asian dudes (walking a cocker spaniel) who want to help but not quite sure how.
• A Filipina mestiza toddler walking about and trying to have a conversation with the dog.
• A Uruguayan offering comfort and company.

By this time Bea had connected with the woman asking her if there was someone they can call? Any family? Perhaps a friend? A sad no answer for all queries. Then it hit me, all the other dudes could have walked away and let us deal with it. Instead they lingered, and would have stayed for as long as it took to help this lady, this stranger. Then I did my last contribution of all. I made a brief speech.

Muscle Man was saying that they couldn't walk away if there was anyone who needed help, he said we have to look after each other. I then said that we should be proud to be living in this neighbourhood, where we all look after each other and help each other. When it came down to the crunch, you guys chose to be a hero and help a stranger rather than walk away and not be involved. Go Campsie!



Then it was decided that Bea accompanied the woman all the way home, everyone went their own way as soon as the lady was recovered enough to walk.  As they all walked away I called out to them and promised to greet them hello next time I see them on the street. I also made a quiet promise to say hello to people in any neighborhood.

It's great to be doing the thing that makes it cool to be a human being.

Humanity prevails.