Giving (Part 2)

When I finally had it made over to Williamsburg this morning and got to the bus stop to wait for the bus that would bring me to Kent Avenue this old pale looking woman was waiting for the bus as well. In very bad English with a heavy accent she asked me at what time the next bus is scheduled to arrive. She really looked like she was not doing so well and then said that she feels sick.

She was probably in her mid to end 70’s and not in the best physical shape any more. I did what I would have done for anybody. I found a spot where she could sit down. We had another eight minuets until the next bus would arrive. I walked over to a nearby store, bought two waters one for her and one for me, brought them over to her, gave her one, sat downright next to her and started to talk to her.

She was so happy about the water. Today we had 95 degrees in New York and temperatures like that are especially hard to cope with for the elderly. It was hard for me to understand her. I found out that she was from Poland and here to visit her son. She was on her way back home from church. She spoke a mix of Polish, English and after I told her where I am from, German.

I also found out that she is from a small town in Poland and has nine children. Eight live in Poland but her son lives here in the States. Once in a while I asked her if she would feel better and she told me that the water was really helping her. Then we talked about where I am from and she said “Germany no good!” She told me that the Gestapo (Secret German Police) brought her to Germany after Germany had invaded Poland and she had to work there for two years and never got paid a penny.

The bus was coming I helped her up made sure she got on the bus safely. When we got to her stop I asked her for her name but she did not understand my question. All she said was “thank you”, “any time” I said. She got off the bus and walked slowly but steadily away.

Suddenly I realized that I just changed this woman’s perception. She had some really bad experiences with Germans 60 years ago. Even though I see myself much more like a New Yorker then a German nowadays, Germany is were I was born.

For the rest of her life this woman will not be thinking highly of Germany. She spent two full years of her life there against her will and was mistreated. But she will also remember the German guy at the bus stop in Williamsburg who helped her when she needed some help. From now on her view will not be only negative.

All it took to change somebody’s world was $ 1.25 for a bottle of water and an open heart.

"Giving (Part 2)" Manhattan/New York City/Soho/Spring and Crosby Street 06-07-08 at 01:25 PM

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