Pay it forward at Wal-Mart

My wife, Helen, Alec and I went to Wal-Mart about 11:30 a.m. for some school supplies and assorted goods.  We decided to pick up a fresh baguette to go with some Pate that Helen had bought earlier in the week and have a nice brunch with some poached eggs.

It is a beautiful "Blue Sky" warm summer day, and I have gotten over being stood up this morning.

We were walking out to our car when I saw a older lady walking to her car in front of us with two full bags in each of her hands.  One bag broke and cans and other articles fell to the ground and started rolling away.

I, immediately, went to her aid.  She was a little flustered and thanked me for my help.  I asked my son, Alec, to get a few items that had slid under a parked car.  We put her items and her bags in our shopping cart (our cart was nearly empty - a few back to school supplies and a baguette) and walked with her to her car.  Helen mentioned that her mother plays cards at the Gibson Centre, and asked her if she went there.  She told us she did, but not for cards.

We helped her put her bags in her car and said goodbye and then walked back to our car.  I told Alec, that we should try to help people when we can.  That wouldn't it be nice if someone were to help him, if he really needed some help?  Or wouldn't he want someone to help Grandma, if Grandma needed some help?  I reminded him of his first day of school, and the boy who was crying and how we helped him, and how Alec became his friend.  I asked Alec if helping this boy made him feel good, and he said it did.  I told him that this is why we should help people when they need help, not only when they ask for help.

I think the combination of telling Alec to help others and helping understand how this might feel from both sides, and actually having him see me, and help me, help others, might make him more considerate and helpful person over time.