Wednesday, June 25, 2008

This has nothing to do with crafting but I need to talk

I stopped to fill the tank on my car for the week Monday night. It was late, I was tired. I filled the tank and headed inside to pay. A man starts walking towards me holding a baby saying "Ma'am, Ma'am". I realized he was talking to me and I looked up to see him standing right in front of me holding the pretty little girl about 4-5 months old. He asked if I could please help his family get some gas for their truck. They were from Muskogee and trying to get to Tulsa. He said they were out of gas and the water pump had gone out. I asked where his truck was and he pointed to a mangled up old pickup with a woman standing beside it and a little boy in the back seat. There was a stream of water coming from under the truck and out to the parking lot. I said ok. I went inside, paid for my gas and then handed the clerk a couple of gift cards I had and asked how much was left on them. It totaled about ten dollars. I asked if he knew what the deal was with the people asking for money in the parking lot. He didn't. I walked out and over to the pickup and handed the man both cards and told him there was about ten dollars on the cards. He thanked me and God Blessed me and the woman got back in the truck and the man started putting the baby in the car seat. I drove off and got a couple of blocks and thought I would go back and give them what little cash I had with me. When I got back in less than 2 minutes to the QT, they were gone. They were beside me on the street going the wrong way to be going to Tulsa.
I had been duped. Why can't I just keep on walking? Why do people think it is their right to basically rip people off? This has bothered me for a couple of days now. I know I have to let it go but I really don't know how.

6 comments:

Aunt Jo said...

I'm sorry that happened to you. I've had it happen myself.

I enjoy helping people and would rather give any old day than receive, but when people take advantage of me, it makes me really unhappy.

You did what you thought was right. Take pleasure in being able to help somebody in need.

They lied and it will catch up to them eventually.

Other than not helping, which I don't think is really the answer, I don't think there's any way to keep from being duped on occasion.

Sorry.

Anne said...

So sorry that happened to you! That's really not cool. Just know that you did right in listening to your conscience. If they took advantage of that - well, that's all on them

Danetta said...

Thanks. I do not regret doing what I did, some days it is just sets wrong when people take advantage.

Amanda Jean said...

ouch. it hurts to be taken advantage of. that is always such a hard call to make. good for you for being compassionate and helping someone out.

Emily Cole said...

Oh man! I'm flabergasted! I would have done the same thing for sure. It's hard not to help someone when it seems they need it. Maybe they had to go back for something, or were headed down the wrong way unknowingly... and you really were able to help them...

Leisha Camden said...

Oh, that totally sucks when things like that happen. :-( People are so selfish - don't they understand that when they take advantage of others even though they don't need it, it will make it harder for others, who really need help, the next time around?? The boy who cried wolf and all that.

Sheesh. :-( But not helping isn't the answer either, so I don't know what to say. :-(