Hold the door open

Last night as I was picking up dinner for Shaun and mine's date night (I know I should be cooking some home made gourmet meal but we all know I can't cook and it was already 5:30 - so thanks Mama Herchenbach for the Panera gift card, you have contributed to date night and it is much appreciated!!!)

So...I was picking up dinner for us last night and as I was leaving, I saw this parade of people coming through the doorway.  There was a couple who looked to be in their 50's who were helping this elderly couple into the restaurant.  The little old lady was being held up by the younger man whom I assumed to be her son or son-in-law and the man was hobbling in on a walker being helped by either his daughter or daughter-in-law.  

I was walking out as these people were walking in....

I couldn't help but think of Shaun and I with his parents.

This brought me back to a few weekends ago when I was bringing Shirley (Shaun's Mom) back from Gurnee (they came up to spend Christmas with my family) and we had to stop at the rest area.  Since it was just her and I, we probably looked like we could use a little help!  As we were walking into the building a gentleman kindly came up to us and asked if he could help her get over the curb.  I happily accepted the help and he held her other arm as we helped her up and over the icy curb.  I thought...what a nice guy.  

Then as we were walking out back to the car a woman (not with the other guy) came up to us and offered to help take her other side and help her into my car.  I was very grateful for this because when we were in the rest stop Bear thought it would be a good idea to jump in the back seat.  So - I would have had to get Bear out of the front seat while leaving Shirley there, got Bear in the back seat and then came back to help Shirley into the car.  Thank God for that woman!  She was a savior.   

So, this brings me back to the couple at Panera...

Even though I was in a hurry, I could see that these people needed help and so I did a simple thing, I held the door.

As the woman walked through the door with the elderly man, she gave me this look of thank you so much...the same look that I give people when they help us...

like - thank you so much for helping us and I am sorry that they are slow and probably in your way but I really appreciate the help, it makes it easier for me.

So - moral of the story - no matter how big of a hurry you are in, you always have time to hold a door open or help someone who is less able than you are.  There are plenty of people in this world who rush around and only think about themselves but there are also a lot of people who will stop and help you - so - be one of THOSE people who hold the door open...it matters a lot to those who are taking care of them.

Thank you :)