“Can I borrow your cellphone please? I’ve locked my keys and phone in the car and I need to call my mom.” I sized up the person directing those words our way inside the New Baltimore, NY Thruway rest area’s snack shop. He looked all of about 17, was a gangly, thin ,6 feet 4 inches, had a head full of dark curly hair and was wearing a shamrock green T-shirt emblazoned with the words -I Love Ireland. He was obviously panicked and so, of course, we gave him our cell phone.
He called home and when reaching his mother, briefly explained his situation and asked her for a towing service phone number. Though I moved away from their conversation, I could hear and sense how stressful it was for both parties involved. He jotted down the number and handed the phone back. “Oh, please,” I said without any hesitation “go ahead and use it to call the towing company. My husband and I have a daughter of similar age and if she found herself in a similar predicament we would hope that folks would also help her out.” Though he seemed somewhat hesitant to impose upon us further, he did indeed continue to make use of the phone.
Because it was freezing cold in the store, I ducked outside to wait while he called the towing company, only to learn that when one needs assistance on the New York Thruway only one towing company can be contacted. Thus it was about another 20 minutes before he was finally able to locate the correct towing service and we were able to retrieve our phone.
My husband and I knew our generosity was now going to delay our return home and some of the projects we needed to complete for our respective employers. Yet, that became secondary. We wanted to ensure this young man had a successful outcome with reaching out and asking strangers for assistance. As it turns out, he was headed to his freshman college orientation, on his own and on the road to greater independence. Extending just a small amount of assistance his way gave me bountiful pleasure.
I relish the unexpected opportunities to help others and be socially responsible. Such occasions validate what I consider to be one of my main reasons for being here and provide me with endless possibilities to expand my connections with those in my community, my state and the world at large. How might you help someone or be socially responsible this week as a part of the VEHI’s summer challenge (see our Facebook page)? We look forward to your posts.
See you on the PATH Ahead.