An Angel Named Tom: Story #5
Others by their example teach us how to be our very best. Unsolicited acts of kindness by them prove there are many wonderful people in the natural world. Their good deeds never cease to amaze us and put them in a special class.
I had a remarkable experience this afternoon that will never be forgotten since it came on a day that had not gone smoothly. My wife, failing rather rapidly from Alzheimer’s disease, currently has both of us homebound. Hence, it is not possible for me to leave for any reason without having someone else stay with her. Taking her out is risky with behavior issues even on her best days. That said; there are times when we must take our chances to go on errands together. We found ourselves in that situation today because supplies were needed.
Knowing beforehand that it was a busy Saturday, the worst possible day to go, we went anyway. The crowded store agitated my ailing wife resulting in her engaging inappropriately with total strangers who didn’t understand. As we had often done in our better days, we stopped at a food service area for an ice-cream treat. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but also knew how much she liked ice-cream. I seated her and asked her to wait while I ordered. My turn came several times but I kept losing my place in line because she would rise in her confusion and walk toward the exit, looking for me. There was no choice but to go after her each time and start all over again.
Unsolicited acts of kindness by them prove there are many wonderful people in the natural world.
A young man I had never seen before came out of nowhere and asked what I needed. He offered to order for me and bring it to our table. As I pulled out my wallet, he insisted, “No, I’ll take care of this.” So, I left the line to sit with my wife. Momentarily, the young man approached with our ice-cream and two spoons. I thanked him and asked what his name was. He said, “Tom.” I introduced myself, shook hands and thanked him again.
When we got up to leave, I saw him seated side-by-side with his lady at a table behind us where they had been watching. I waved and said, “Tom, you are a gentleman and a scholar!” Both of them beamed a big smile and nodded. While driving away, it occurred to me they weren’t eating like all the rest. Could they have been real Angels? Who knows? Preposterous as that sounds, a total stranger’s kindness touched my heart and put a lump in my throat all the way home. It undoubtedly felt spiritual because what he did was so grand. On the other hand, they might have been. Haven’t we all had mysteries in life that had no worldly explanation?
On this extraordinary day, I thought, “Wouldn’t Tom’s mother have been proud?”
© 2022 Gerald Lloyd Wood. This story and accompanying art are used with permission of the author, Gerald Lloyd Wood.
