A wake up experience

ShaSha · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject:

About 15 years ago we were playing on a beach in VA when a couple approached my hubbie who then talked with me. Our children were gathered about also. They had jewelry that they wanted or needed to sell because their family was going hungry.

I had no interest in the jewelry and offered to buy them groceries. They kept ignoring my offer and wanted to sell the jewelry because they didn't want charity. They held out for money and I held out for groceries. Just buying them groceries would have saved me money too since I didn't want the extra expense attached to jewelry. There was no way if they were legit that I didn't want to help them. It was hard keeping my stand but I was satisfied when they left that it was a con because I had no strings attached to the groceries. They could come with me and help pick them out.

To help someone who might come to my house, they can wait outside while a sandwich is being prepared or even other food if the case is genuine and they truly are hungry. That would take care of the possible robbery motive.

In my case there is lots of work that I could give them such as mowing so they would even get something to do while I am fixing them something. And of course they would get a few extra dollars too.

We can find ways around our own fears to help those who genuinely need help.

I do agree with one of the posters that it is up to the parents to make certain that they have gone through all systems to get their children fed but there can be true cases of bureaucracy failure where the kids are going hungry. And of course there could be a case of parent or parents lost in their own depression so that they can't help their kids.

I would also use the time to sit outside with him and quiz him on what is being done through the various agencies.

It's ok that a sandwich wasn't thought of. This is one of the best threads I've ever seen on this forum.

Cybercommuter · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:40 pm Post subject:

@ShaSha

Your comments are much appreciated.

The case you described with the people wanting to sell jewelry and your offer to buy them groceries sounds to me like you made the right decision in that situation. It is hard to imagine people wanting to sell jewels to strangers because they need money for food when they could well have taken the jewels to a jeweler or pawn shop. Don't know about anyone else, but as for myself, I would not be able to distinguish the real thing for cheap costume jewelry in the first place. And even if it is the real McCoy, it seems likely that it might have been stolen. And their insistence on wanting to sell the jewelery because they were too proud to accept charity, that is just too far fetched. I am sure they were either fake jewels or stolen.

If there is ever another hungry high school kid coming to my door, I know now what I will do. I hear that hindsight is always 20/20, and in my case, it certainly is in this case.
_________________
It's called the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.
-- George Carlin

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