‘Can I help you on, sir?’: Man’s simple act of kindness for elderly man who was ‘a little scared’ goes a long way

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“A little redemption for the suffering human soul.  The older man was paused at the top of an escalator and a few people started gathering waiting to get on. It was clear he was feeling unsure and this young man offered the simplest kindness: an out-reached arm and a ‘Can I help you on, sir?’ He quietly started to explain to the young man that he had gotten stuck on an escalator once and was a little scared. The young man gently offered an assurance, they looked at each other eye to eye for just a moment and the older man accepted his arm. Everyone else remained patient. So, so sweet to witness!

In about an hour, the evening news will air and we’ll be reminded of division, political mud-slinging, shootings and other heartaches. But today, violence, age, politics and other social lines were blurred and one person simply helped another. I wanted to hug both of them. Whoever this young man is, YOUR FAMILY RAISED YOU RIGHT! THANK YOU! So, please look for the silver linings – as I was so fortunate to witness this evening.”

Elderly man arm in arm with younger man that helped him on escalator
Paula Accorsi Picard

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Paula Accorsi Picard. Submit your story here, and subscribe to our best love stories in our free newsletter here.

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