Mei Pop was driving home as a typhoon was approaching on the South Luzon Expressway in Laguna, Philippines, and as she was on her way, she realized that she did not have enough cash with her to cover the highway tolls for her exit.
“While I was preoccupied by so many things and SL Expressway was almost zero visibility because of the typhoon, I forgot that I had to make a pit stop to get cash from an ATM at a gas station just before my exit at Southwood. “That’s after making a mental note that I had to do it since I only had [a few] bucks on me and I needed more to pay the toll fee. Rattled, I decided to go to the next and last gas station southbound, which was two exits away from where I was, only to find out from the gasoline boys, after briefly telling them about my problem, that no ATM machines were available there.”
Mei parked her car and realized that she had no way to pay the toll in order to get home, so she tried calling her husband to see if there was a way he could come and help her. Yet as she was trying to get a hold of him, sensing the distress that was written all over her, one of the employees at the gas station walked over and knocked on her window. Upon rolling the window down, she saw that he was handing over a few bucks and said that he and the others chipped in order to help her and that they were hoping that the money was enough for her to take the next exit and look for an ATM machine
“I was so moved by their kindness, knowing that the money could’ve easily been a big portion of their very limited allowance for the night. Tearing up, I told him that I will get cash and bring their money back right away”. But they unanimously declined the offer.
“I didn’t know what else to say. I felt like thank you will never be enough for the kind of compassion they extended towards a stranger like me.”
“After finally being able to get money, I went back to Caltex as promised. They didn’t want the money back, but I insisted. I tried to offer a little extra too, but they said that they helped me without expecting anything in return. I was simply floored at how amazing these people are! Thank you again, Shaun, Joel, Orly and Rendel! All of you are living testaments that there indeed is hope for humankind. There should be more people like you! I can never thank you enough. Ever.”
. It could be something as simple as sharing a smile, it could be a listening ear, a kind response. It will certainly fill their heart, and it will likely fill yours as well. Let’s seize every opportunity to inspire belief in the goodness of humanity.