It takes a while for things to come back...

Bob Bancroft · Sep 7, 2015

at this stage of the game of life, but eventually they do. Thinking about the post below about helping someone along the road finally brought it back.

Many years ago I was delivering a load of wheat to the mill with Dads little old truck. The fellow ahead of me was having trouble getting his tailgate unlatched. I went back and got a favorite nail/pry bar that Dad always kept in a certain place in the truck. I handed it to the guy, as his tailgate popped open, the bar slipped out of his hand, into the pit and disappeared. I told the mill guys about it. I thought it could do some damage. They supposedly looked, seemed unconcerned, and didn't find anything. I was the only one who was concerned at all. Luckily for me, I had a very similar bar I had recently bought, as I was building my first house. I told Dad about the situation, and placed my bar in his truck. The total lack of gratitude, regret, or any concern at all on the part of the recipient has stayed with me, and has undoubtedly affected my actions. As you can see, when prompted, I remember it well.

Fawteen · Sep 7, 2015

When I do the occasional good deed (I do have a reputation to consider, after all...) I don't expect any thanks. If I get it, great. If not, well I did what was right and that's thanks enough.

fixerupper · Sep 7, 2015

When we used to haul corn to town seven miles one way in the fall with wagons I had a spare tire bolted to the front of every wagon and a jack, blocks and wrenches in the rock box of the tractor. Dad did most of the hauling while I ran the combine. One afternoon he had a flat on a wagon on the way to town and a young man who was combining corn in a nearby field stopped and helped him change the wheel. Dad has never forgotten that deed.

DENNIS MIN · Sep 7, 2015

Bob,

I changed a flat ire on a Chrysler for a young woman, middle of nowhere, upstate NY. She was frightened that I would even stop and assist.

As I was changing the tire, she got outta the car and was offering me a cold soda, but that cold drip from that can that hit my shoulderblade scared me, and scared her even more!

Even after I got it changed, she would not leave that Chrysler.

I do not regret any kindness, especially when roadside or disabled. Thanks to those that have helped me and my girls.

D.

Dick2 · Sep 7, 2015

Ditto- but at my age now, I don't stop, just leave that to the young guys.

Bob Bancroft · Sep 7, 2015

That reminds me of a similar situation. I came upon a tiny car, on a very back road here, a few years back. The tiny, flighty fellow was alone, and had tried to change a flat, and had given up, and was just sitting in the car. When I gave it a try, he was afraid I was going to hurt myself! The nuts had been jammed on so hard with an impact wrench, that even with my bulk, I had to stand on the wrench to break them loose.
I don't mind helping someone. And I don't need thanks. But I'll never forget the guy losing Dads bar, and not even being concerned about it.

Ozlander · Sep 7, 2015

He probably figured you dropped it.

Goose · Sep 7, 2015

People complain about teenagers, but some years ago I had my back operated on to alleviate an old Marine Corps injury. While I was recuperating, the doctor told me swimming would be good exercise for my back. Since it was summer and there was a lake about 15 miles away, I figured to combine some swimming and beach time.

While driving to the lake, I had a flat on my left rear tire, and was in no condition to change it myself. There was a small town several miles away, so I was flopping down the road on the flat tire to try to get to that town for help. A car with a couple of teenage boys pulled beside me and asked if I needed some help. We both stopped and I explained the situation.

They replied, "Oh, we'll change your tire for you".

I told them it sure would be worth a few dollars to me if they would.

Upshot was, they changed my tire and when I tried to give them each a $5.00 bill they absolutely refused to take any payment.

Kinda reminded me that not all the teenagers deserve the criticism they get.

oldtanker · Sep 7, 2015

I've stopped to help my fair share of people. The first time was the spring right after I got married. 3 girls with a flat and no jack. Couple weeks later was in town with my bride and same 3 girls came over to say tanks again. Took all of them and me to convince my young bride that all I did was help em out.

Years later, shortly before I retired from the Army my wife and kids were already living here on the farm. My #2 son had broken his foot and was on crutches. Just him and my wife in the car stopped to help a young local single mom with a flat. Between my son and my wife they got it changed. While this was going on they were passed by a few vehicles that never even slowed down. Most of the people were men and they just kept going. My wife knew most of them. She, this mild mannered woman I married really tore into those who let her and my son change a tire helping someone else out.

People just don't stop anymore. They assume that everyone has a cell phone.

Rick

Fatjay · Sep 7, 2015

I had just had my rotator cuff surgery the prior day, in San Antonio, TX. Was driving to Wichita Falls, about 400 miles in the dead of summer along empty roads. My left arm in a sling, my right arm driving, signaling, shifting, etc. Easy drive though, just strait, not much in the way of turns, so I was confident.

About 50 miles outside town I saw a cadillac with two elderly women looking at a flat tire. Naturally I pulled over, and went to help. The ladies were quite helpful in pointing for what i should do next. I managed to get it changed with absolutely no use of my left arm, and the ladies were grateful. It was a few years back before everyone had a cell phone, so who knows what could have happened in that heat, and very few cars coming by.

I hadn't even made it back to my car when they raced by me back on their way to wherever they were going.

DENNIS MIN · Sep 7, 2015

Bob,

Maybe I wrote things that did not come across proper...

I value all my tools, and for someone to negligently say is does not matter, well I take a different stance. So, we're closer in thought than what I had written. My apologies.

Still, I like the stories that come about through a bit of miscommunication.

D.

Paul from MI · Sep 7, 2015

About three years ago a guy had truck trouble right in front of my lane to the barn. I had long since totally forgotten what the problem was or how I helped him out. Last week I was taking a cruise in my old military jeep around a nearby lake when this fellow waves me in to his drive. It was the same guy and he had been waiting for me to come by or be outside when he went by my place. He had found out I collected John Deeres & gave me a beautiful original John Deere advertising print for a model D tractor, so you never know when or if you'll ever be repaid for a favor.

tomturkey · Sep 7, 2015

Older (75-80) widower down the road had a flat up the road aways. I did not know it was the neighbor until after I stopped. You need some help? I ask. He did and I changed the tire. No big deal, lug nuts were awfully tight. A few months later I saw him in his yard. He had not farmed his own place for years, I was in the market for a sickle bar mower. I ask if he happened to still have one. Yes down here in the barn. Went and looked, a 1300 3pt, 7foot IH. How much would you take for it. I'll just give it to you!! he said. I tried to insist he take something, No you helped me out. That has been a wonderful addition to my little hay operation. I call it a God thing. gobble

Old Scovy · Sep 7, 2015

Back in 1963 shortly after we got married we were going out to eat with another couple and we were all dressed up. Came upon a couple old ladies with a flat tire. Couldn't just pass them by. So we stopped to help. Got the tire changed and the old ladies said they wanted to pay us. Of cores we didn't want any thing and would have paid a big price to get out of it. Well the ladies raised heck and said that they have to pay us. So they were talking back and forth about how much they should pay us. They decided that a dollar for both of us would be enough. So we took the dollar and tore it in half. Jim took half and I took half put it in my wallet and we said we will get a milk shake some time. Well I still have my half Jim died several years ago so I guess we will never get to spend our hard earned money and I can't give it back because the old ladies are long gone. LOL

It takes a while for things to come back...

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

Fawteen

Well-known Member

fixerupper

Well-known Member

DENNIS MIN

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Dick2

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

Ozlander

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Goose

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oldtanker

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Fatjay

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DENNIS MIN

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Paul from MI

Well-known Member

tomturkey

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Old Scovy

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