Giving Lift

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“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington

Yesterday afternoon my kids and I had two hours left of a six hour road trip when we came across a man walking down the interstate with his son, who looked to be about two or three years old. The man was carrying a gas can in one hand and holding his son’s hand in the other.

The mood in my car at the time we happened upon these time was best described as stable. Six hours is a long time for me, not to mention Miss O and Mr D, at almost 8 and 4-years-old respectively. We were tired after a great weekend of playing at the lake cabin of my best friend’s family, a little sad to be on our way home, but also heartened by the fun of being together and with our incredibly fun, generous, and delightful friends.

So I polled my kids as to whether we should stop and help the man and little boy. They asked great questions – were we going to give them a ride? how much longer would it take? – and I told them we’d just take the gas can, fill it up, and return it to them. It would probably add 20 minutes to our trip but save them two or three hours of dangerous walking. The decision was unanimous that we should help them.

By the time we found a gas station, looped back far enough to find their car and then figured out how to turn around to be going in our original direction, it was a good 20 minutes. In that time, the mood in my car had lifted exponentially. Mr. D had grand plans that he was going to hop out and deliver the gasoline himself, and Miss O was mapping out her strategy to find out all that she could about them. When I delivered the news that there was no way I was letting them out of the car on the highway, they were disappointed, but so buoyant by the fun helping adventure that even a little disappointment couldn’t dent the mood.

And why did I do it? It was clear how I could help and seemed low risk. And I had benefitted greatly from the weekend with the fun and relaxing time with our amazing and thoughtful friends. But probably mostly, because the weekend away had given me a glimpse of the long view of life. (For more on that final point, The Long View is my post on the Heart of the Matter blog today).

I only exchanged about a dozen words with the man and his boy during our quest for more gasoline, but the whole thing carried us safely and happily home for the remaining two hours. It reminded me of the quote from Booker T. Washington at the top of this post – there truly is great lift that comes from helping others.

(featured photo from Pexels)

58 thoughts on “Giving Lift”

  1. Pingback: The Long View – The Heart of the Matter

  2. What an excellent post, Wynne, describing a perfect example of doing the right thing. Except that you actually DID it, and in doing so taught an important lesson in being there for others not only to your kids but also to all of us, your readers. Thank you!! (Your father would be/is proud!)

    Liked by 9 people

  3. Jane is spot on. You made the world better and provided a model of what will make for the best possible future for all of us. Thank you, Wynne!

    Liked by 5 people

  5. I loved this story not only because of the good deed that you did for the man and his family but that it was a co-created decision with the two kids. Great role modelling, Wynne, and a wonderful hands on lesson you imparted on your kids on this day.

    And it’s a good you don’t watch horror movies like I do because this is a classic horror movie setup. 😂🤣

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I’m howling, Ab. Believe me, 20 minutes is a long time to consider what could go wrong. 🙂 And I love your comment about co-creating the decision. That made such a huge difference that we all decided together! It really was amazing to see the lift in their moods.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Have you ever seen The Hitcher, Ab? Or the movie with Sandra Bullock and Keiffer Sutherland about the young woman who went missing on a road trip? That one is based on a real life story that happened pretty near to where we were on I-90 yesterday when we saw the man and boy. Yeah, horror movies have a way of grabbing the imagination, don’t they? 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  6. I can’t add much more than what has already been said. You have this innate ability to show compassion and teach your littles how to be good humans. You simply live by example, and they will grow up doing the same. Love this 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Oh, Deb – you have me teary eyed. I’m just feeling my way along and their little hearts are so incredibly open so they show me a good amount of the time! 🙂 ❤

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I remember years ago I had picked up a hitch-hiker along a highway when I was alone with my infant daughter. Logically it just didn’t make sense to help him, but I had an overpowering sense I needed to help him. It was strange. Afterwards I though about all the terrible things that could have happened, and that kept me from ever picking up anyone else.

        Your gut told you the danger was low, and you risked helping someone and nothing terrible happened. There’s much to be said for listening to our gut.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. There’s much to be said for listening to our guts – that’s so true, Tamara! I love your story about listening to yours when you saw that hitch-hiker. What a beautiful act of kindness!

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  9. Such a great role model for your kids. I’m sure I would have been “oh, that’s a shame” and kept on driving, while you did something about it. Love how you talk in your piece on HoTM on taking the long view and this companion piece shows everyone how it’s done. Wow.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve driven by plenty of times without inquiring. Sometimes good wishes is all I can send and maybe that’s the trick – discerning when we have the bandwidth to stop. I’m so grateful my kids were all in!

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  10. I can’t really add anything that hasn’t already been said, beyond that I bet you made that man’s day and renewed his hope in humanity. The other day, we had the car breakdown on the way to the mechanic and a cheerful man pulled up and offered us a lift. We had a ride following us so declined, but kindness from a stranger who has nothing to gain was priceless and I’m still on cloud nine because of it. And setting a good example for your kids? Also priceless. 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Oh, I love this story, Erin. Especially how you described him as a cheerful man. That’s so sweet! The man that I gave the gas to just said a quiet, “Thank you and God bless you.” Somehow in those few words, I truly felt blessed. Priceless, indeed!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. What a good thing to do, and you thought it out wisely. You didn’t put your children in danger by picking up strangers. You also allowed your children to participate in decision making and taught them a great lesson.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. You’re right – I can’t imagine letting someone get in our car but this seemed manageable. But really, it was the kids that made it so special – they REALLY were all in for helping and were so buoyed by doing it! Thanks for the lovely comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Simply beautiful!
    I love the way you imparted a valuable lesson to Miss O and Mr. D. They learned the joy and satisfaction of giving without jeopardizing their safety.
    Wynne, the title is so apt and the pun on “giving a lift,” is brilliant.

    Liked by 2 people

  21. I love this through and through! When I first volunteered for something, for reasons I can’t even now recall, I noticed I felt this natural high of connection–not from giving, but from walking-with. So then in dark times, I’d show up and be with others and find myself lifted just as you describe. It’s been a little while since I did this with any kind of routine, which means … good food for thought for me, thanks! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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