Can't Help But Want to Help...

I was in the mood for chicken curry today. So I asked my boss if the teriyaki place she goes to served up some curry goodness. She wasn't sure but asked if I could get her some teryaki if I was going there anyway. Yep - I made a lunch run for her and our accounting manager.

I've always been weary of this particular teriyaki place 'cause it's a little hole in the wall and looks like the kinda place you don't want to eat. But I was desperate for curry and decided to give it a chance. But, alas, they didn't have the curry I was so looking forward to eating. I did find some very delicious beef bulgogi. Very good... at first. There's a weird after-taste. I guess that's what soda's for.

As I was making my three block journey back to work, I saw this lady carrying three boxes in front of me. The first two boxes she had were firm in hand with the top up to her neck. The third box was held at her side - carring it by one the flaps. She stopped at the corner, leaned against a pole, and repositioned the third box on top of the other two. Ahhhh, much better.

My first inclination, when seeing her struggle, was to ask if she needed help. It took me a lot not to assist. Because there was a light for me to cross the street, I had to walk away from her. But I made sure to keep my eye on her. My plan was to cross right back across the street if I saw her struggle without anyone stopping to help. She ended up being fine. Although people around her must have been worried for her - seeing this crazy guy stalking her from across the street.

I think I have to blame my dad for this natural tendency to want to assist others. I just can't help but want to help complete strangers. But that's just the way my father was - helping anyone in need. Stalled car on the side of the road? Slip on your bum while walking? Drop something personal like money, kleenex, child, etc? I'm there. Well, I want to be there. For as much as I want to help others, I've been thinking of my safety lately. Funny how that happens as I get older? I try not to stop in the middle of the night for cars on the side of the freeway. Those times do make me feel crappy for being scared to help others. But I think my loved ones will appreciate it more if I stay alive. And I guess that's another way I'm helping...