Superman's Song - Crash Test Dummies

I was the Atlantic Superstore this evening, and someone touched my heart.  An elderly gentleman was ahead of me in the cashier's line up, and the cashier was telling him that her computer was telling her that the garlic bread he had chosen was $2.99, not cheaper as he was led to believe.  He told her that he verified the lower cost with a staff member beforehand.  She called for her manager. The manager tried to adjust the cost to the lower one, but the computer "did not let her."  She said, "Sorry, dear.  There's nothing we can do."  And, off she went to put out another "fire".

By this time, I had surmised what the issue was and mentioned softly to the cashier that this gentleman should get the bread for free for his patience and this embarassing situation.  The line up is growing by now.  The cashier was a very young woman who was conscientious of her responsibilities more than the "real world" situation she's reluctant to be in.  So, I said, "Rules are meant to be broken."  No one will know outside of the three of us.  "I can't," she said, "I can get fired!"  Fair enough.

Well, if she also can't help, what can I do?  Then it occurred to me that I can ask the cashier to ring the bread with the rest of my groceries.  It'll be my treat.  I didn't think my husband would mind.  In fact, I KNOW he wouldn't.  The gentleman showed me his heart surgery scars, and his calves that are purplish blue in colour due to bad circulation, and mentioned that he is waiting for hip surgery. 

When he realized that I would buy his garlic bread for him, he told me that I didn't have to do that.  He and his wife will just have to do what they do all the time when the money runs out after medication, rent and the necessary incidentals.  She sent him to the store to get milk and bread and he couldn'nt even get bread.  That was what they will be having until more money comes in. 

My heart was filled to the brim with sadness.  Surely, helping the needy would cost more than $2.99!  I don't have a steady income because I, myself, is on disability due to my mental illness.  This wasn't the time to talk about me.  I continued to listen to my new friend.  He wanted to know what my name was so he can get his wife to thank me.  I told him not to worry about it, and that I was glad to help.  (I am not bragging...I am trying to tell you that I have been reminded that it doesn't take a lot to lend a hand.)

Something tugged at my heart, so I looked inside my wallet to find a piece of paper where I can write my name and phone number.  Next to that paper was a gift certificate of $10 for Subway.  My husband had won that at some event a while ago and had given it to me.  I passed it on to him after scribbling my name and phone number for my friend.  (Giving my name and contact information to a stranger is not something one does regularly.  I certainly didn't.  Why I chose to trust this stranger is lost on me.)

He never told me his name.  I'm glad he didn't.  I am remembering him by his face, his chest scars, his bad legs, and his upcoming hip surgery.  He called me an angel.  This made me think of Genesis 18, where the Lord and two angels visited Abraham and Sarah in the middle of the day.  Abraham and Sarah hosted them, and this account became a recorded event in one of the most read books of all time.  Abraham was told that he and Sarah (who was eavesdropping) would have a son.

I was placed in that moment so that I would experience how wonderfully empowering it would be to help and to need help.  I am thankful for this opportunity. This situation has changed me.  Someone who is sick can help someone who is in need.  When we think we have nothing, there is probably someone else who has less. If you are given the opportunity to help, and it is within your means, do it!  Do not let the opportunity pass you by. 




Have you heard the song titled "Superman's Song" by the Crash Test Dummies?  The words agree with what I experienced today.  It is good "food for thought."

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"Superman's Song"

Tarzan wasn't a ladies' man
He'd just come along and scoop 'em up under his arm
Like that, quick as a cat in the jungle
But Clark Kent, now there was a real gent
He would not be caught sittin' around in no
Junglescape, dumb as an ape doing nothing

[Chorus:]
Superman never made any money
For saving the world from Solomon Grundy
And sometimes I despair the world will never see
Another man like him

Hey Bob, Supe had a straight job
Even though he could have smashed through any bank
In the United States, he had the strength, but he would not
Folks said his family were all dead
Their planet crumbled but Superman, he forced himself
To carry on, forget Krypton, and keep going

Tarzan was king of the jungle and Lord over all the apes
But he could hardly string together four words: "I Tarzan, You Jane."

Sometimes when Supe was stopping crimes
I'll bet that he was tempted to just quit and turn his back
On man, join Tarzan in the forest
But he stayed in the city, and kept on changing clothes
In dirty old phonebooths till his work was through
And nothing to do but go on home