I am always brought to the brink of tears whenever I hear, read, or see, any stories about ‘Random Acts Of Kindness’. And that’s not just because I am overly sensitive to things like that. Of course other people may not have quite the same reaction as I do. And by other people, I really mean my father.
Case. In. Point.
My Grandfather, Poppa Sye, took his car to be fixed at the local gas station and since he was going to have to wait a while for the repairs to be made, he decided to walk across the highway in order to get to the local restaurant he often frequents.
Sadly, while attempting to ‘Frogger’ his way around the traffic my grandfather fell.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY.
And he hurt himself.
WHEN HE LANDED ON HIS FACE.
Fortunately, he was not injured too badly.
But, an ambulance arrived on the scene and bandaged up his wounds.
When my Grandfather finally made it home safely, this is what he looked like:
You have no idea how upset my mother and I were.
In an effort to calm us down, my father made a joke about my grandfather, by sending out the following email to all of our family members. And the two of them staged the picture to accompany the message
Email:
“Just to let you know that I lost my temper with Sye and we had a scuffle. He called me names and pissed me off saying that his food was cold and that I gave him the wrong size fork. Then he complained that his napkin was not folded the correct way. F -him! I had enough with this old guy. He had it coming! ”
* Clearly, I get my wonderful sense of humor from having such a fun family.
Now, here comes the real story….
Oh, and please keep in mind that Poppa Sye was still walking around IN PUBLIC all bandaged up.
Almost every morning my Grandfather goes to ‘The Same Bagel Shop’. It’s conveniently located right down the street from our house and he likes to get his breakfast there. However one rainy day, the store was really crowded. So, rather than wait in a long line, Poppa Sye grabbed a cup of Hot Chocolate and sat down at a table.
After the Morning Rush slowed down, the woman working the cash register came out from behind the counter to speak with Poppa Sye. The cashier informed Poppa Sye that another Gentleman, who happened to be a ‘Perfect Stranger’ had given her the sum of $40.00 – specifically – to buy my Grandfather whatever he wanted for breakfast. And… And also, to keep the rest of the money as a ‘Running Tab’ to pay for my Grandfather’s meals until the balance was gone.
Awesome, Right?
Well, here’s how the people who live in my household reacted to hearing that news.
When my SON heard that story?
He responded by saying, “That’s Cool. Can I go back to my room now?”
When I heard that story?
I was speechless. And I immediately became teary-eyed and felt a renewed sense of faith in all of humanity.
When my MOTHER heard that story?
She thought it was terrific and wonderful. However, she was convinced ‘The Nice Man’ probably only gave the $40.00 because she thinks her father looks like a ‘Homeless Person’. Especially with all if his ‘Band-Aids’ and such.
But, when my FATHER heard that story?
He asked Poppa Sye if he could borrow his red hat, walking cane, and some ‘Band-Aids’ – because he was going to the Bagel Shop to try and score a Free Meal.
Yep.
That’s My Daddy.
I love your dad's sense of humor. My kinda guy.
No wonder you always find the humor in most situations.
I love your dad's sense of humor. My kinda guy.
No wonder you always find the humor in most situations.
Hell, I think I would do the same!
Oh, Meleah, I LOVE this story! Your dad is such a hoot, and your grandpa is a sweetheart. I'm so glad he wasn't more seriously injured.
And how nice of the stranger to offer to pay for your grandfather's (or your father's?) breakfast. I tear up at random acts of kindness too.
I also tear up at funny dads who pretend to beat up grandpas.
Glad to hear he wasn't hurt too badly; it could have been a lot worse. Luckily, your family has a large reservoir of humor, so things like this can be dealt with properly, with a laugh.
Good luck and best wishes to your grandad.
Your dads hilarious and your grandfather is cute. So, did your dad score a free meal or did he get beat up because someone thought he stole the nice homeless mans hat?
OMG Meleah I love love love you father !!!! Thanks for sharing great story. I so know how you feel. My dad just fell on his face and sort of resembles Sye. That man most likely thought Sye was having a bad week and wanted to help him out. That's so awesome !
Hahaha Your dad and I would get along famously. And I hope Poppa-sye recovers from his bruises. I love ur family.
Awwww 🙂 Sweet! And funny!
I've learned from the best!
🙂
I am glad your grandfather wasn't badly injured. Sadly, I would have a reaction more similar to your dad's :).
I totally laughed my ass off when my dad pretended to box my grandpa!
And, when I found out someone paid 40 to feed Sye? *TEARS!*
Thank you. He was VERY lucky not to have broken a bone!
And he's made a full recovery now!
Thankfully
Ahahahahhahahah!
Seriously, I was in AWE of the stranger paying for Poppa Sye!
And, yeah, am LUCKY to have such a FUNNY father!
Poppa Syes all good now!
And if you are EVER in NJ, feel free to stop by, my family would love you
too!
Thanks love!
That's a GOOD thing!
I love it! I needed that laugh! Also, now I kind of need a bagel.
I remember when my GrandDad got t-boned at a major intersection and how pitiful he looked but how well he hung in there.
Random act of Kindness make this old world go round. =)
Random act of Kindness RULE
Mmmmmmmmmmm bagels
I think I may have done what your dad did too! What a lovely thing for that person to do. And not looking for gratitude either.
Lol. That is a great story. It is so refreshing to hear stories of kindness rather than all the destruction going on in the world.
lololol. oh my god, i'm only laughing at the end of this story. you're dad asking if he could borrow his hat and cane. that is too funny.
so sorry to read about pappa sye. wow. glad he is okay.
and that stranger was totally awesome for doing that. yes, it makes me tear up to hear or read of things like this. which is the very reason, i can't watch a hallmark commercial. i cry for commercials.
I think what this proves, more than anything, is that your grandpa is indestructible. It also proves I think like your Dad.
You know what, I wanna find the guy that put the $40 down and build a statue to him. What an awesome person.
Screw it, I'm gonna have to go out and do something really nice to someone I don't know.
And my poor Grandpa didn't even want to accept it! But the cashier made him!
Amen to that!
a hallmark commercial can seriously send me into a full blown blubber session!
Don Joe
I think it would be AWESOME if you did something really nice for a stranger too!
And, yes, I think Poppa Sye might be unbreakable!
It was also very honest of the cashier!
First, I am glad your grandfather is ok. Second, I thought what your mom thought and THIRD, your father is HILARIOUS!!!
Wow, my faith in humanity is restored as well!
Your whole family is so funny, you guys must all just walk around in Depends because you never know when humour will strike! Glad your Grandfather is ok!
Seriously!
I didn't even thin of that! Thanks for pointing THAT out Babs!
What an HONEST cashier.
Thanks Lucy! My father cracks me up on a daily basis.
Thanks I'm glad Poppa Sye is alright too.
But I don't follow my family around wearing Depends.
I DO, however, follow them around with my camera.
I ADORE your handsome Dad, Grand Dad, and the humor in this situation. How a man of 90 could be bandaged up like that and still look studly is beyond me, but he does! Love this!
Awww! Thank you.
I will read your comment to Poppa Sye!
OMG….I HOWLED when I saw that last photo and what your father intended to do!
I was actually eating some yogurt and SPEWED it all over my desk!
Bwhhahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
I know I've shared this with you before, but I have to share it again….I LOVE YOUR FAMILY! And yes, my Libra friend, that's exactly where you got your fabulous sense of humor!
I'm like you, I get very emotional whenever I hear, read, or see any stories about random acts of kindness. And THIS one is definately a moving. I suppose living in a city, I get tainted from seeing so many raw and harsh things, but stories such as this renews my faith in humanity too.
Wonderful post, girl! Both funny and touching.
X
Ha ha ha! Your dad and family rules! A great story and a great group of people! Thanks for sharing this, Meleah!
I love this story. I totally miss my dad when I read stuff like this. He, too, was into funny business. I'm glad your grandpa was OK after attempting to cross a highway!
This was a great post … I love your family's sense of humor … and we certainly were on the same wavelength with our posts.
Many years ago, I was out with my whole family and someone anonymously bought our dinner because “we seemed like such a happy family.” I've tried to pay it forward occasionally when there's been a little extra cash … I'll pick out a happy young couple of a Mom out with her children and pay on my way out. It always chokes up the waitresses.
Bud aka Older Eyes
I'm glad Poppa Sye is OK and also have a bit of a tear in my eye that a complete stranger acted with such kindness. Your Dad is a classic with his bandages and red cap. He is so funny. I love the Tony Bennett stories!
I must admit Random acts of Kindness (other than being a briallient album by The Bible) bring a lump to my throat and occasionally glassy eyes. I can cope with people being nasty and mean but kindness beyond the call of duty often leaves me in pieces……
P.S. Can you send your dad over to the UK, he sounds ideal for times when I have sense of humour failure, generaly when I take myself too seriously. Fortunatly that doesn't happen much but your dad sounds like the sort of person who can bring people back for a reality check….
You are a great storyteller Meleah! Love this post….love it! And funny!!!
Your Grandpa Sye looks damn good for 90. We can only hope we look that good. Or that we're even around.
And I'm partial to the name. You ready, I'm going to reveal my real name.
Sae pronounced. Cy or Sye. In my music career it's spelled Sai because nobody ever pronounced it right on the radio.
Glad that Meleah's grandfather is alright. No matter what the stranger thought, the act of kindness touched and warmth my heart.
Meleah's father is really killing me; I can't stop laughing. What a fun family Meleah has indeed.
I've been reading a lot of blogs lately, but this one is the first I actually ENJOYED! Your family sounds wonderful. Funny, funny, funny. Thanks for sharing the story and telling it so well. It made me laugh out loud and brightened my day!
I don't even know what to say. Okay, yes I do. I think we were separated at birth Mel. I swear, my grandfather stories are so very similar. And from what I hear, my father was very much like my grandpa. There are highway stories, police stories, gramma stories, stories of gooses soup with the mafia, yattah, yattah…My grandfather is a huge practical joker, always messing with people. He thinks he's so funny. And he is. 😉
If humanity could only use your family as an example of how to live and love.