Handing Out Resumes (post from John Tesh)
Instead of asking for money – this homeless man handed out resumes – and landed a job!
For 2 years, Frederick Callison has been living on the streets – ending up outside a Smart & Final in Sacramento, California.
That’s where Michael Marteen noticed him, while shopping with his fiancee and two daughters.
Michael was impressed that he wasn’t asking for money – just food and a job. And he also had his food handler’s certificate, Social Security card and ID on hand to show that he was serious about finding work.
So Michael gave him some food and posted Frederick’s picture and resume on his Facebook page. Well, it worked!
Someone came across the post and offered Frederick a job as a cook at a downtown restaurant called Pizza Rocks.
He now has a steady paycheck and is staying with a friend until he can afford a place of his own.
Michael Marteen says: “It’s easy to look at someone and not see anything but a homeless man, but after talking to him I realized he’s so much more than that. He’s a well spoken, cool and friendly guy who knows what he wants and is going after it.”
Awesome 5th Graders (post from John Tesh)
These 5th grade students give up recess once a week to learn American Sign Language, so they can communicate with their deaf classmate, Rhemy Elsey!
It’s been a few months since the club was formed and his classmates’ participation makes Rhemy really happy!
He says: “It’s like they want to be like me.”
So far, the club members have learned basic signs on different topics including school, food and clothing.
Nice job class!
Hero of the Day (post from John Tesh)
Hero Of The Day: Michigan Firefighter Ryan McCuen!
He used his own money to pay a family’s electric bill for $1,023!
McCuen went on a medical call earlier this month.
One of the residents, a child, needs to be connected to a ventilator to breathe, and had to be rushed to the hospital as the parents had fallen behind on their electric bill and improperly completed a medical waiver that would have prevented the disconnection.
As a new dad himself, McCuen was moved by the family’s situation so he anonymously paid for the full, $1,023 bill.
His kindness didn’t stay anonymous for long, though. His Fire Chief Michael Phy wanted to recognize the generosity, saying:
“I have not seen an individual be so monetarily generous. I, and the Administrative Staff, am very proud of Firefighter McCuen.”
McCuen also explained the situation to the electric company’s service representative and ensured keeping the family’s power on would be a priority.
Way to go!
Get To Bed By 11 (post from John Tesh)
Get to bed by 11pm – even if you’re a night owl – or you like Jimmy Fallon!
Research shows that getting to bed by 11pm – that one thing – can increase your energy and mood by as much as 400%!
That’s because getting sleep before midnight increases your brain’s production of mood-boosting serotonin and endorphins. That dials down your stress, increases your energy, and lifts your mood after only 2 days of getting to bed by 11pm.
#StayKind (post by Frank Somerville KTVU)
This is one of those stories that will just make you smile.
Jhazmhon Williams Lee was headed to a Walmart.
She saw the woman in this picture holding a sign and asking for food and clothes for her family.
She gave her $10 and left.
But she wanted to do more.
Here’s what Jhazmhon posted about what happened next:
As I parked, I felt a warm feeling and something told me I could do more for that lady.
So I went back and I asked her questions like where she was from, why was she here, and where are her children.
She began to look scared and started giving me false information.
She thought I was going to call child services.
She said that from the color of her skin, people don’t want to help her.
I told her regardless of the color of your skin I love you anyway and all I want to do is help you.
She took me to her kids and where she lived and I’m not going to go in detail but I was so sad.
I told her I don’t have a lot of money but the money that I do have I would like to help her with it.
So I took her and her daughter to Walmart and told her to get everything she needed!
She was in tears and so excited.
My bday is tomorrow and I planned on going out of town this weekend, but instead of doing that I know I received more enjoyment helping this sweet lady and her family with the money I saved instead.
I encourage everyone to lend a helping hand.
It doesn’t have to be financially.
It could just be you walking up to others and encouraging them that there are better days (ahead).
You will be amazed how much that means to people.
I was very excited and my heart was filled with joy and with her permission I posted this.
Never be ashamed to ask for help.
–Jhazmhon Williams Lee
https://www.facebook.com/jhazmhon.lee?fref=photo
It’s always amazing to me what happens when you listen to your heart.
Jhazmhon easily could have said:
“Hey I gave her $10.
I did my part.”
But instead she listened to her heart and look at the result.
Thanks to Gina Gina for telling me about this story.
Last Ride
I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few minutes I honked again. Since this was going to be my last ride of my shift, …I thought about just driving away, but instead I put the car in park and walked up to the door and knocked.
Just a minute’, answered a frail, elderly voice.
I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.
Would you carry my bag out to the car?’ she asked.
I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I told her.. ‘I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother to be treated.’
‘Oh, you’re such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive through downtown?’
‘It’s not the shortest way,’ I answered quickly.
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
‘I don’t have any family left,’ she continued in a soft voice. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
What route would you like me to take?’ I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.
We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and she would sit, staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m tired. Let’s go now’.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
‘How much do I owe you?’ She asked, reaching into her purse.
‘Nothing,’ I said.
‘You have to make a living,’ she answered.
There are other passengers,’ I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
‘You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?
On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We are conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
At the bottom of this great story was a request to forward this – I deleted that request because if you have read to this point, you won’t have to be asked to pass it along, you just will…
Thank you, my friend…
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance. J.L.
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