Ask for help if you need it

[BlueZircon]

Hi everyone thought I would share a little story with you that happened to me yesterday.

I went to my local supermarket and close by the entrance was a young youth begging. I live in Central London and we get a lot of Roma beggars mainly Romanian most seem to sleep in Park Lane and Hyde Park. I did my shopping and got to the checkout and lo and behold had one of my turns (feeling very dizzy and faint! - blasted side effects from medication!) What was I to do? I knew I could not carry my 3 bags of shopping home (although it was only a 3 minute walk). I glanced outside the youth was still begging. Gut instinct told me he needs money and you need help just ask. By the time I had paid for and packed my shopping my breathing was getting really bad too.

Off I toddled outside but the youth did not speak English. After what seemed like a game of charades and much gesticulating he understood what I wanted. He picked up all my bags and off we set. More gesticulating and I learned he slept on the streets. He was tiny so thin and puny and I guessed his age at most 15 but I could tell he had a very kind soul. He seemed really concerned at the state I was in. He started to sing a song on the way to my home which lifted my now flagging spirits. We reached my flat (no lift and 6 flights of stairs!). Oh to have the energy of that youth as he bounded up the stairs with my heavy shopping bags with me having to stop at every flight gasping. I thanked him and paid him and when I gave him the money his whole face lit up and he thanked me and he bounded off down the stairs singing again. I was so glad I went with my gut instinct.

[Shar28]

What a heart warming story! You both benefitted and he had the dignity of working for his money.