Author Celeste Ng was headed to the gym in her hometown of Cambridge, Massachusetts, when she happened to look over and see an elderly woman sitting in the middle of the sidewalk.
She didn’t appear to be injured, but Celeste thought it was just strange that she was sitting there. She drove on but couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right with the woman. She decided to drive back by and check on her. Celeste is glad she listened to her instincts.
She shared her story on Twitter.
She posted,
“On the way to the gym today, I drove past an elderly lady sitting on the sidewalk. It’s 40 today and it seemed like a weird place to sit. I told myself she was probably fine, but I also felt uneasy. So, I went back.
“I drove around the block and came back and asked if she was okay. She told me she had gone for a walk and realized, too late, she couldn’t walk that far. She’d sat down to rest and then couldn’t stand up on her own again.
“I helped her to her feet and then I got her into my car and drove her back to where she lived. (A senior center, about 3 blocks away.)
“I had to put her cane in the back. I said, ‘I promise I’ll give it back to you!’ She said, ‘Well, I trust you, and plus I’m not going anywhere without it!’
“I am so glad I came back to check and didn’t just assume she was fine. I guess the moral of the story is: If you’re able, always take a minute and check if someone needs help.”
Celeste’s Twitter feed blew up with comments and people thanking her for helping the elderly woman.
Many people shared that they had stopped to help elderly people, as well. Others explained how strangers showed compassion toward their elderly relatives and helped them during their time of need.
A lot of people would have driven right past the woman and not have given it a second thought. She might have had to sit there for hours before someone came along to help her. It’s scary to think what could have happened if Celeste hadn’t trusted her gut instinct and went back to check.
The elderly woman will likely never forget the kindness that Celeste showed her that day.
Celeste will also not forget how her simple act of kindness changed that woman’s life or inspired so many other people to go out of their way to help others.
After realizing how people were responding to her post, she decided to inspire them even more. She posted:
“On further reflection: this is reminding me of the discussion many people had soon after the 2016 election, about not being a bystander when someone needs help. Just asking ‘Are you okay?’ when something seems wrong is a good place to start.”
Hopefully, Celeste’s story will inspire more people to step up and do the right thing.
Sometimes, it’s not easy to tell if someone needs help. However, being aware of your surroundings and simply offering a friendly smile or a helping hand can make a big difference in that person’s life.
Ask yourself, if you saw an elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk, would you go back and offer your help?
The next time something seems out of place in your surroundings, don’t hesitate to check to make sure everyone is OK. You could change someone’s life or maybe even save a life. Your actions could also inspire others to do the same.
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
On the way to the gym today, I drove past an elderly lady sitting on the sidewalk. It’s 40 today and it seemed like a weird place to sit. I told myself she was probably fine, but I also felt uneasy. So I went back.
— Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) April 3, 2018
