Mar 10, 2012

Please share...

These are heart wrenching stories, but I share for a reason...

On the 34th street Subway station a lady boarded the train this morning. She was about 50 years of age; had no bags or belongings; wore a jeans and a sweatshirt with sneakers.

As the train started moving she started speaking to us her fellow riders in clear voice. These were her exact words:

"Ladies and Gentlemen! I am hungry. Very hungry. If any of you can spare something from your lunch or breakfast this morning...  like an apple, an orange, a sandwich, anything, anything at all, please share..."

Then she passed the aisles from one end to  the other saying, "anything? anybody?" and not a single soul stirred. Few continued to read as if they didn't hear a thing. but many were just looking at her and seeing through her.

When no arms extended I too felt reluctant as I didn't want to be the odd man out. But at the same time I couldn't just ignore her. I had a banana other than my frozen lunch. I offered it to her ignoring the stares from the fellow riders. Her face lit up. She blessed me and accepted it. I could sense the glances from the people till I got down at my stop.

Though it made me feel a little uneasy I was glad I could share...

Last week when I returned from the Bronx, at the passage way that connects #5 train's Time Square stop to Port authority walk way, there was this beautiful young Mom standing with an infant bundled up in her arms, with a hand written note that read, "Lost my job. Have two babies to feed. Please help!"

I wasn't sure if I should help. Was that a trick she was playing? But then I looked at her again and she had such a grace about her that I couldn't just walk by. Gave her a dollar. Walked few more steps and then as if something dawned on me came rushing back to her. Fetched out a bigger bill and pressed it in her hand. There were tears in the corner of her eyes and mine too welled up as we held hands for that one brief moment. No words exchanged but it was all understood. I was sorry and she was thankful.

What if these were not genuine cases, one may ask. My response is, if they are that desperate, so be it. I have lost nothing!

Now the only reason I am sharing these with you is so that you too would give, share and help - the very least we can do. Next time you come across someone in need, please don't rush by. Give! Anything. Something. If nothing, lift them up in your thoughts and prayers. But please do not ignore... this is my humble plea...

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
~ Holy Bible



12 comments:

anilkurup59 said...

“Karmanye vadhikarase te ma phalesu kadachana
Ma karma-phala-hetur bhur ma te sangostavakarmani.”

You certainly have the right to do your activities but never at anytime in their results.You should never be motivated by the rewards of the actions, nor should there be any attachments in not doing your prescribed activities.

I guess this is a shade further from measuring ones reward in relation to what one gives. isn't it?

Great thing you did nevertheless.Unfortunately when we give alms we do not set off for inflation , we still drop the ten ps coin ,.

Felicity Grace Terry said...

A truly lovely person, I'm honoured to know you.

To be honest I will gladly share my meal and will happily buy a sandwich and hot drink for those in need but I do think twice about handing over money.

NRIGirl said...

All the while I was telling everyone I can understand Hindi and know Malayalam etc. What language is this? Couldn't get a single word translated...

Of course, it is not for the results we should do. Agree.

Overall I see people have become less sensitive to others in need. There could be varying reasons for that. Genuine reaons I agree.

But I feel sorry, very sorry for those who have gone down to that state to beg others for a meal...

How can we just walk by?

NRIGirl said...

Good point Petty! Will remember.

Kavita Saharia said...

I would have done the same .Share.

ஜோசப் இஸ்ரேல் said...

Jesus has given His Life for us...

Why we can't do what we have and what we can....?

a Good post..... Let us give something to the needy people....

Thanks for sharing...

YL said...

Matthew 5.42″Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
Luke6.30 "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back"
we are called to obey Jesus.

anilkurup59 said...

@ NRI Girl,

Those are verses in Sanskrit in the "Gita".

Anonymous said...

This post made me teary eyed. How beautiful you are!

Rachna said...

Lovely post! I would have shared too.

L KRUPAA said...

A lovely post.
I would prefer share/buy them a meal rather than hand over money.

Bikram said...

That is why you are such a lovely beautiful person. Much better than me for sure.

I dont know but i dont give to people who beg for I know god has given us hands to work, and we can work then why beg. Maybe I am wrong I dont know .. I would not mind giving or sharing my lunch I am 100% with that , no harm in feeding someone who is hungry.

BUt giving money I feel is not the right way to go about it for the simple reason how do we know who is genuine.


You have a beutiful heart dont let anything change that ..

Bikram's

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