stories
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It was a chilly winter evening, not long ago. My family and I were headed to a small local restaurant for dinner. As I pulled into the small parking lot, there was another car headed in the opposite direction. I assumed he was looking for parking as well, and began circling the lot to find a space. As I went around a corner, the other car was stopped in front of me, and he was blocking my way. He was preoccupied and not paying attention to where he was going. I noticed he was intently focused on the store next to the place we were going. I tried to use my mind to will him out of my way—there was a choice spot just on the other side of him that I wanted to park in. He must have felt my staring, he turned to look at me and I felt fire from his eyes. He adjusted his seatbelt and drove out of the lot. My husband made a comment about the man’s car as he drove away; I made a comment that the man in the car looked scary and thug-like. We went about our business and went into the restaurant. We ordered, sat down, and within seconds the building was surrounded by police officers. We ate our dinner and chatted, the restaurant was buzzing with speculation about why the police were outside. When we left, I asked an officer what was going on. He said the store next door to the restaurant had been robbed. I asked if it was the gentleman in the car we’d been confronted with while parking, and described it to him. The officer got excited—apparently we were the only people that saw anything! My husband and I gave a full description of the vehicle and the man we saw, answered a few interview questions, and went home. About an hour later I received a phone call from the police officer. They thought they discovered the car we had described, could we please come identify it?
We did, and it was. The officers were cheering and high-fiving as we left—it was clear we had done a good deed. When I got home and told the story to my mother, she became worried. She said I shouldn’t have gotten involved and what about retaliation? She said not to participate anymore, there was too much risk involved. I thought about it, but decided I didn’t agree. I feel that we have an absolute responsibility to help others, whenever and however we can. The poor employee that had been robbed deserved my help, not the criminal. A day later, a detective met with us to see if we could identify the man in a photo line-up. I did, instantly. The image of his fiery eyes was burned into my memory. I still recall the feeling of “remember this man” as he turned and looked at me. I’m confident that I was in that place at that time for a reason, and I needed to fulfill that. There will always be people that don’t understand why you do the “right thing” when there is an easier alternative, but that shouldn’t sway your purpose—your purpose of responsibility, to yourself and this world.
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SOMETHINGS NEED TO BE SAID LOUD
Quote: “There will always be people that don’t understand why you do the “right thing” when there is an easier alternative, but that shouldn’t sway your purpose-your purpose of responsibility, to yourself and this world.”
SOMETHINGS NEED TO BE SAID LOUD AND TWICE and a MOTTO to leave by.
Every day presents us with countless opportunities to do “the right thing.” However we must purposely slow down and be discerning.
I’m I going to court soon because I was an eye witness to someone being robbed. And I like yourself were told by family members as well as friends, that “I should mind by own business,” out of concern with the outcome & what if’s – which would leave me feeling irresponsible. No thanks because I would then have to live with that decision. Thanks for your encouraging story.
lisa rosenau | 1 year ago
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Um...
I think she and her husband did the right thing because the guy could have gotten away with it and did it again and again.
I say good for you both…justice was served. =]
Rebecca | 1 year ago
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I applaud you
I applaud you for doing the right thing, even though others told you that you shouldn’t. I would advise that you ask for protection. Retaliation is still a possibility, and even though you helped others, now you need to take measures to protect yourself.
Emily | 1 year ago
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Great job
Great job. Salute to both of you.
Sigit | 1 year ago
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You did the right thing......
Good for you!! Think of how relieved that robbed employee must feel knowing the thief was apprehended. Also, you set a good example for your children.
Beth | 12 months ago
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no title
I would say that there are most people that would stand up in court and identify this man..would point their finger, and would stop him from doing any harm to others. That is what some people think of our legal system. I however, don’t have that much faith in our justice system, and..I would probably keep my silence. I am used to being silent.
Serenity | 11 months, 4 weeks ago
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Do onto Others
If everyone of us had the courage and spiritual sense of doing what is right when unethical and violent behavior takes place before our eyes, billions of souls would be saved, most especially those of our youth.
Sandra Bueno | 11 months, 3 weeks ago
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Untitled
I think your actions were brave and noble, especially in taking action. I have had occasion to take the same actions several times. When I see something that is endangering other people, especially kids, I do my best to memorize the details before I contact the authorities. That way, I can give them the best recollection of the events and who was involved.
Mary Thayer | 11 months, 3 weeks ago
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Not always easy and not always kind
Not always easy and not always kind, but you’re going to have to make up your mind and do the right thing. Most of us know exactly what the right thing is: it’s the harder of two difficult decisions to make. The right thing always hurts the most and makes you feel like a pile of crap the next day. It may have to come with a sincere apology for having to be done. But the guilt we carry for a long time if we DON’T do the right thing is heavier and uglier than the shame or sadness we feel because we chose to do the right thing and subsequently were excluded from our social group or someone else’s feelings were deeply wounded. Last thought: If doing the right thing keeps losing you friends, you may want to find new friends. The right thing shouldn’t and usually doesn’t hurt good people all that often.
Rainey Clandennon | 11 months, 3 weeks ago
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MRS
It is so nice to get involved…that man never do anything like that again and you’ve helped to save a person from going down the wrong path. It takes getting involved and being watchful for these kinds of things.
Good for You!
CAROL HANKINS | 11 months, 2 weeks ago
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