Entry FeedThis morning I took the subway with the nicest people in the world!
As soon as I walked on with Son Two, a student got up and offered me his seat. It was busy - morning rush hour. I said thank you and sat down, holding onto my son between my knees. A few stops later, a man got on with a cane. I got up and gave him my seat. Then three more men offered me their seats!
I rode the subway downtown when I was 9 months pregnant with Son One. When I was feeling especially tired, I would open my jacket and stick my big belly extra far out (he was 9 lbs, so I had a lot of belly.) Maybe twice I remember being offered a seat.
This morning I was sitting with Son Two on my knee, when he said, "Mommy, I am thirsty. I want some water."
"Sweetheart," I said, "I don't have any, but I can get you some when we get off, OK?"
One of the men who had offered me his seat took an unopened bottle of water from his bag and gave it to my son. I tried to say no thank you, but he insisted and my son was already reaching for it.
I couldn't believe it! Everyone was smiling, helpful and amazing.
Still in my stupor about the wonderfulness of my morning ride, I turned the karma around so it can come back to bite me on the ass later. While walking to the subway after our appointment, a young woman approached me with a hard luck story about losing her TTC Metropass and asking for money. I turned her down.
There are so many reasons why I said no. First, it is my pavlovian response to any request for money. Beyond that there were a number of things I found odd about the request: she was heading away from the subway; and, she looked like a university student (couldn't she ask a friend or classmate?)
Really, I don't like being asked for money by people on the street. As she walked away I felt really bad. I could have given her $3 for the subway. I could have told her I had no tokens, but if she walked with me to the subway I would pay her fare. It would have been a small price for me to repay the kindness of the morning ride.
When you hear stories of Toronto the bad, think of me. I was lucky with generosity and kindness just hours before I shot some girl down for a request of aid. I talk to my kids about being nice and helpful, and then I put my head down and walk on. I guess I sort of suck, and I am sure karma will find me.
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