- Jan 23, 2001
- 16,765
- 6
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Some of you may remember my post about a week and a half ago, where my dad almost commited suicide and then took off. story here
The conclusion to the story is that my dad is now back, and is trying to work out his differences and problems with my mom. He realized that he just couldn't up and leave. But he was still very much hurt by the whole situation, and isn't totally alright (though not thinking about commiting suicide). He is thinking about seeing a psychologist.
But that is a different story. The story I wish to tell is about that night. My dad told it to me just yesterday.
After he left for the first time that night, he went walking around not knowing what to do. It was pouring rain. He walked and walked, untill he saw a gas can next to a lawn mower in somones yard. He took the gas can (which was full), and went to a 7-11 near by. He had forgotten his wallet, and only had some spare change. So instead of getting a lighter, he got a match book. He walked under a nearby bridge, and went under it intending to cover himself with gas and light himself on fire (obviously wasn't in a correct state of mind at this point!).
He poured the gas all of himself, and took out the matchbook. But by this time, the matchbook was soaked. So my dad is hunched over, trying to light it, but isn't suceeding.
Now, under this bridge there runs a bike path. My dad is right next to it, hunched over trying to light a match. Right at this time (about 1:00am, in the pouring rain), a biker comes down the path. He sees my dad hunched there. He stops, hesitates for a minute, and then says "hey buddy, need a light?"
My dad says that this kind act allowed him to get a hold of himself by reciprocating in turn. He wouldn't be charitable, after all, to accept the light. How would that make the guy feel if my dad burst into flames? So my dad said "no thanks," and walked home.
I wish to thank everyone who takes a small ammount of time out of their day to commit these little random acts of kindness, whether it be opening a door or offering someone a light. You never know how much of an impact such a small gesture of human good will can have
The conclusion to the story is that my dad is now back, and is trying to work out his differences and problems with my mom. He realized that he just couldn't up and leave. But he was still very much hurt by the whole situation, and isn't totally alright (though not thinking about commiting suicide). He is thinking about seeing a psychologist.
But that is a different story. The story I wish to tell is about that night. My dad told it to me just yesterday.
After he left for the first time that night, he went walking around not knowing what to do. It was pouring rain. He walked and walked, untill he saw a gas can next to a lawn mower in somones yard. He took the gas can (which was full), and went to a 7-11 near by. He had forgotten his wallet, and only had some spare change. So instead of getting a lighter, he got a match book. He walked under a nearby bridge, and went under it intending to cover himself with gas and light himself on fire (obviously wasn't in a correct state of mind at this point!).
He poured the gas all of himself, and took out the matchbook. But by this time, the matchbook was soaked. So my dad is hunched over, trying to light it, but isn't suceeding.
Now, under this bridge there runs a bike path. My dad is right next to it, hunched over trying to light a match. Right at this time (about 1:00am, in the pouring rain), a biker comes down the path. He sees my dad hunched there. He stops, hesitates for a minute, and then says "hey buddy, need a light?"
My dad says that this kind act allowed him to get a hold of himself by reciprocating in turn. He wouldn't be charitable, after all, to accept the light. How would that make the guy feel if my dad burst into flames? So my dad said "no thanks," and walked home.
I wish to thank everyone who takes a small ammount of time out of their day to commit these little random acts of kindness, whether it be opening a door or offering someone a light. You never know how much of an impact such a small gesture of human good will can have
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