RAOK: One simple act of kindness can make such a difference

Few things can be more embarrassing and disheartening than waiting in a long grocery checkout line only to have your ATM card declined, without enough money to pay for the groceries your family needs to get through until the end of the week.

Although many of us have endured similar situations and have found ourselves having to make the “walk of shame” away from the groceries we needed, the experience can still be embarrassing and emotionally traumatizing.

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When new Hemet resident Toni Ruble ended up in the same situation yesterday evening at a Hemet Stater Bros she said she felt embarrassed, like everyone in the whole store was looking at her. She began scrambling through her purse, hoping against hope that she might find some money that she knew she didn’t have.

Just as she was about to turn around and start putting her family’s much-needed groceries back on the store’s shelves, Toni was surprised to hear a woman speak up from behind her and offer to pay her remaining checkout balance.

Although Toni tried to say everything was OK, she could feel her face turning bright red with embarrassment. Despite her reassurances, the good Samaritan simply responded, “I’ve been where you’re at and I’ve been blessed, so I want to do this.”

“I was in complete shock at how kind and amazing this person was,” Toni later admitted, saying, “She made me feel like there is still good in humanity, as well as people who don’t judge but are willing to help, even when not asked to do so.”

“She was just such a blessing and helped me out with no questions asked,” said Toni, admitting she was so shocked and humbled by the experience she didn’t even think to get the woman’s name as the pair shared a hug and went their separate ways.

A feared move, with a positive outcome

In an interview with RCNS, Toni – whose family recently moved to Hemet from Lake Elsinore – explained that since her husband lost his job she has been the sole provider of her family’s household. Although her husband is actively searching for a new job in construction, concrete and pipe-fitting, Toni said she uses the family’s sole vehicle 14 hours a day – nine hours daily for work, plus four hours worth of commuting – making it difficult for him to seek and obtain employment.

“It’s been a pretty rough two years,” Toni admitted. “Money is tight with rent, utilities, car payment for a vehicle I need to get to work and take our 11-year-old daughter to school, and more; so there really isn’t much to get us through each week, until my hubby gets a new job.”

Toni explained that although she and her family had previously lived in Hemet years ago, after her family’s home was burglarized they decided to leave due to the worsening neighborhoods and high crime.

“When we decided last March that our only option was to move back to Hemet I was honestly really scared at first,” Toni explained. “But the rent was sky-high in lake Elsinore and we really felt like we had no other choice.”

“So, as you can see my feelings about of having to move back to Hemet weren’t the best.”

Despite her initial misgivings about moving back, Toni explained that during the last few months she has been pleasantly surprised at the many positive changes she has seen in the city she once feared driving through.

“My neighbors at my new place watch out for me and my family,” the grateful woman continued, “and we have a ton of protection with Hemet police – who are always on top of everything. I’ve learned that Hemet is actually a pretty nice place to live again.”

“I can’t wait to pay her kindness forward.”

Although she initially hesitated about sharing her story, “because sometimes people can be so hurtful, judgmental, and negative,” she ultimately decided to share her experience because she wanted the unidentified woman to know how much her random and unexpected act of kindness meant to her and her family and how grateful they are.

“Despite my fear, everyone in the community has been so positive and uplifting with their comments,” Toni explained. “So many people have sent warm blessings and kind words.”

After less than a day, Toni’s online story about her experience on Facebook’s Hemet Valley Incidents had already received more than 1,600 likes, comments, and shares. According to Toni, people have even been privately messaging her with potential job leads for her husband.

“The community’s response has been so refreshing,” Toni concluded. “And that woman’s single act of kindness has opened my eyes about Hemet and changed my views. I can’t wait until I am able to pay her kindness forward.”

Although Toni has still not learned her good Samaritan’s name, she explained in her Facebook post, “I will never forget the kindness you showed me today and our family thanks you from the bottom of our hearts.”

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, recently moved to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.