GUTTER GIRL

While out walking and chatting with my brother Chris in Auckland, we came across a woman lying in the gutter in front of us. She was moaning and clutching a bottle. A few people ahead of us had taken a wide berth around her. She was lying in her own vomit in the gutter for goodness sake! You can’t get much more desperate than that. 

Chris and I looked at each other. Leaving her there was not an option. We urgently requested an ambulance. Wonderful things mobile phones. Within a few minutes, the reassuring siren sound could be heard. 

The woman was now more coherent, mumbling a few words. And all the while people continued to stop and stare. One person remarked that he had seen her there before. So? No one deserves to be left in such a state and place. 

The paramedics knew her name and were so good with her. With the patient loaded on board, the ambulance slowly left, probably to return again. Chris asked, “Why did you stop?” I replied. “What if that woman was our mum?” 

No answer was needed.


POINTS to PONDER

Please don’t ignore anyone in need. Take some form of action.

Be compassionate. Don’t be cynical. We all deserve dignity at the worst times in our lives.

It’s always worth it to stop. You be the one to care.


Comments

  1. PatJanuary 18, 2024 at 12:40 PM

    Nice one Steve. Some stories/occasions to ponder...

    ReplyDelete

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