Have you seen the filter that makes you look like you’re crying and your face is distorted? I went to the gas station to get some gas before I started driving. When I pulled up to the pump, there were two young men talking.

One was a younger man with a British accent, and he was talking to a man who was sitting on the ground next to the pump. I went into the store and when I came out and was walking toward my car, I saw the face of the man who was sitting next to my car. His face was distorted with grief and tears were streaming down his face. He had been crying for a while, because his eyes were red and a little swollen.

I walked over to the man who was sitting on the island ledge and asked him what was wrong. He started to tell me about the people in his life that did not care about him and those who had mistreated him. He told me his name was James and that he was homeless and living in a tent right up the street.

I could feel the weight that he was existing under simply by listening to his voice and watching the expressions wash over his face. It was clear he was in emotional distress, so I tried to help. While I was listening to him talk, the young man with a British accent, bought him a full pizza and a bottle of water.

I asked James what I could do for him and he explained to me that someone had flattened the tire on his bicycle and he had no way to get around. I told him there was a bike shop about three minutes from us and that I would call and see if they were open. I called Mike’s Bike Shop and he was getting ready to close so I explained the situation and he said to meet him in the alley behind his bike shop.

The gentleman who had bought James the pizza also gave him seven dollars because James had googled how much an innertube for a bicycle would cost, but he did not have any money.

We put James’ bicycle in the back of my car and I drove for about three minutes to Mike’s Bike Shop.  As we were driving down Pico Blvd, James looked over and calmly said, “They are stealing stuff from my tent.“ I asked him if he wanted to turn around. He said, “No.” When we arrived at the shop, I pulled the owner over to the side and explained the situation to him. I had five dollars left on my Venmo card and seven dollars left on my PayPal card. That along with the seven dollars that James had was enough to pay for a new innertube.

While James’ bike was being repaired, I asked him if I could have a slice of pizza because I was hungry. He was so gracious and said I could have as many pieces as I wanted, but I only ate one. Once his bike was fixed, I said a prayer for him and I was on my way. As I was driving off, he smiled at me with his hands placed together like he was in prayer and repeated, “God Bless her” over and over. 

I wholeheartedly believe that acts of kindness are permitted to overcome obstacles so that they can come to fruition. It’s the little things that make a difference for a person. Sometimes, all it costs is our time. You never know the ripple effect you can create with an act of kindness so please be kind and thank you for reading my story.