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HeroicStories #786: Baubie's Guest
Reaching more than 38,000 subscribers in 118 countries, this is...
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HeroicStories #786: 22 January 2010 www.HeroicStories.com
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Baubie's Guest Story Editor:
by Nathan Stolov Joyce Schowalter
Missouri, USA
--+-- This Story Originally Ran as #379#: 30 January 2003 --+--
When my late grandmother was in her late 60's she was quite independent.
She handled all her own cooking, cleaning, and shopping, living in a
second-floor apartment. She drew a small Social Security pension -- thus
barely had enough money to live on. She accepted little financial help
from her grown children, most with families of their own.
Baubie awoke early one morning, thinking she heard a noise on her
balcony. From the balcony door, she saw nothing had been disturbed. The
next morning, the same thing happened. Baubie wasn't a person with an
overly active imagination, so she set her alarm clock to wake up early
the following day. Arising, she quietly went to the balcony door and
discovered a poorly dressed man sleeping on her balcony. His alarm clock
went off, he went over the balcony rail and disappeared down the street.
Baubie wasn't a person to wish anyone harm. She knew the man must be in
very bad financial trouble to secretly live on her poor balcony, and she
was certain he wasn't dangerous. After all, he hadn't tried to break
into her apartment!
That evening, after dinner, she put out a package of leftovers for her
"balcony guest." The following morning she found the leftovers had been
eaten, and her guest had left money for the food. She put his money
safely under a spare pillow and blanket, along with a dinner that night
-- and many other nights.
Because food was expensive, she finally allowed her children to help
buy food, which she insisted that she prepare. This went on several
weeks, with Baubie's guest finally giving up on leaving money for
anything! One day, without a word, her guest was gone. She worried that
something had happened to him.
One evening a few days later, there was a knock at her front door. Upon
answering, Baubie was greeted by her guest. He was wearing a clean used
suit, carrying a bouquet of flowers for her. He was a businessman who
had lost his business after an employee stole money from him. He had
sent his family to live with his wife's parents and worked to make good
his losses. Having paid off his employee's thievery, he was working for
another business as a manager, was now able to look his ex-business
associates in the eyes.
His first goal after paying off his business debts was to repay "his
grandmotherly angel" for her generous kindness, but Baubie wouldn't have
it. His words and knowing he was well were enough. She invited him to
dinner, insisting he repay his wife's parents with the money he had
saved, which he agreed to.
She said it wouldn't be proper for her to take his money, because
"parents are supposed to help their children". In her mind, in the way
she was brought up, this perfect stranger, this gentleman who was near
her children's ages, was a "temporary son" given her to watch over. As
she did.
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We'd like to extend a slightly delayed welcome to our new Webmaster,
Sheila Crosby. Sheila is a former HeroicStories author, who wrote a
story for us right after the World Trade Center bombing in 2001. She
made our last fundraiser possible, for which we're eternally grateful.
She says, "I'm British, but I live in the Canary Islands, just off the
North West coast of Africa." Find out more, or see pictures of her
interesting island, home to six telescopes, at her website:
http://www.sheilacrosby.com .
Our last story, "The Gotham Gentleman" (#785) described the generosity
shown a family visiting New York City by an elegantly dressed gentleman.
Jack in Arizona was reminded of a similar incident: "In 1952 I spent the
summer working in a store selling drinks, hot dogs and sandwiches
located on 42nd Street just east of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The front
window was open to serve people and faced 42nd Street. A tourist family
came up to the window and ordered food and drinks. Suddenly a man in a
suit and tie appeared, put money down to treat the family and said
"Welcome to NY" We were all very surprised and the tourist family was
amazed and were impressed at the wonderful people in NY." ("The Gotham
Gentleman" is in our archives: http://heroicstories.com/archives.html .)
Several people followed through on a suggestion from HeroicStories #784.
Elayne in Texas wrote: "... I found the Tennessee Department of Safety's
website for thank-you notes about their employees. What a welcome relief
from the usual negative publicity! If my state doesn't have such a site,
I am going to suggest it." We invited other readers to follow her lead,
to check their state's web site.
Elizabeth in Montana wrote: "I'll check out Wyoming's "Thank-You"
status. My husband and I were recipients of Wyoming's Highway Patrol's
kindness a few years ago. I sent a big "thank-you" then, now wondering
if they have a page on their site for grateful motorists."
Nancy in California: "I just sent the info to our Traffic Safety Dept
here in California. It will be interesting to see if there is any
response since the state is broke." Betti chimed in: "I sent such a
suggestion to the California CHP site. I'll let you know if I hear
back!"
Sandi in Massachusetts writes: "I just read my very first issue of
HeroicStories. People go out of their way every day with small acts of
kindness. Each deed that's acknowledged is a small triumph. Sometimes
even the recipient doesn't notice the act, and this is a good reminder
to take the time to notice. I see both little and big kindnesses that
make me stop and smile, and inspire me to do the same things. Thank you
for publishing these stories. "
Let us know your thoughts.
Joyce Schowalter, Networker in Chief
Co-Conspirator to Make the World a Better Place
COMMENTS about stories are always welcome -- please include your first
name and location: [contact information]
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