30somethingandsearching

I was in the car this morning listening to WGN radio and one of the hosts was talking about having to share a car with strangers.  Apparently, her flight was detoured and the only way to get to their destination was to rent a car, but there were limited cars, etc.  So a few people shared a rental.

My momma always taught me not to get into cars with strangers.

Of course, that doesn’t count getting in a car with a stranger when they come with friends of yours, which I have done.

I have, however given rides to strangers.  (see the difference, not getting in a car with strangers vs. letting strangers in your car….hehe.)

One year when I was probably 20ish, I was working retail while in college.  It was after closing one snowy night and I was letting my car warm up.  I was looking around the lot and spotted an elderly man struggling to get his car started.

I watched him for about 10 minutes while my car got nice and toasty warm.

I was backing out of my spot to head home, but I couldn’t drive out of the lot.  I felt too bad for this old guy.  I drove over to him and asked him if he was ok. 

He told me he couldn’t get the car to start and his wife was at home ill, but she didn’t drive anyway, so he didn’t have anyone to call.

I asked if he lived far and he told me where he lived, which was only about 8 blocks.  So I offered him a ride.

He was so thankful.  It was funny because he told me I shouldn’t pick up strangers normally, but that he was a nice old man.  I could tell he was.

Is it strange to believe that I have good instincts about people?  I really do.  Rarely am I fooled by someone.  I can 99% of the time tell if they are good or not so good.

I drove him home and we chatted about his life.  War veteran, married for decades, etc.  So sweet.  When I pulled up in front of his home, he tried to give me money, which of course I refused. 

He thanked me so many times and said his wife will be grateful as well.  She would be worrying already because he should have been home hours ago. 

I was happy to do it.  I don’t normally pick up random people.  I find the older I get, the more cautious I am, but I still would help someone if they needed it.  Why?  Because I hope that if when I need help, a kind person will offer it to me as well.

Have you ever given a ride to a stranded stranger?  Would you stop or just drive by and think, poor guy?   I know people have good reason for passing people a lot of the times.  Your gut says no.  You have your kids in the car.  You are running late, etc. 

What would you have done if you were me that night?  A single, young girl with no hurry to get home and your gut said it was the right thing to do.  Would I do it again if that happened to me this winter?  I think I would.  I just wouldn’t sleep well if I left someone stranded knowing I could have helped.

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