Week of 11.11.19-11.17.19
This week, it was chilly, snowy, and very laid back. Because it is near the end of the semester, that also means I am almost done with my 100 hours for the semester. So, I have had more free days to hangout with friends, do homework, go to Panera, and basically do me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Watch Below
The only thing I did towards my hours this week was maintain the UCBA's snapchat and work my welcome desk shift. Besides this, I was able to see my friends: Anna and Ben and meet someone new at Panera...
Celebrated my friend's 20th Birthday on Wednesday at the Cheesecake Factory
Welcome Desk Breakdown:
-Thursday: 11-12pm
Social Media Breakdown:
-Thursday: Campus update and Blood Drive
What a humbling lesson I learned.
*If you did not watch/read the video above, continue to read for background information*
Due to having more time for myself, I went to Panera twice this week to work on homework. While I was there, I saw a man sitting across from me, a couple tables away.
I was not trying to ease drop, but he was very loud over the phone speaking about his autism and an appointment that was coming up with his doctor. When he got off the phone, he made eye contact with me and that immediantly pulled him over to talk to me.
He started off by stating the various stickers on my computer. At first, I was ashamed because I did not want to be disturbed and I had an abundance of homework to complete. However, after talking to him for a short time, I realized how harmless and kind this man was.
Moreover, he said he had to leave and that he "wouldn't bother" me any longer. I said goodbye and assumed that would be the last time I would see him.
I was wrong.
Two days later, I see him at Panera, late at night, and he comes over to talk to me. He starts by giving me a tip over my psychology homework (I had told him I was a psych major) and then excused himself to again, "no longer bother" me. I smiled and said alright.
Later on, he gets up from his table to leave and as he leaves, he stops by to say goodbye to me. Then, proceeds to ask me if I wanted one of his Matthew 25 Ministries bags because it is a "pretty color." I said "no thank you" but he said "no, here. I have plenty" and walked out.
It was not until later when I was leaving and saw a shiny item in the bag. It was a Norstrom giftcard and as I looked further, a receipt with scripture on it. It read:
"Early Christmas gift. I will be gone from Milford by then! It is a $5.00 gift card to Nordstrom. Don't spend it all at once! U R cool! Too cool for Milford! lol, so am I! You are my friend and I'm praying 4 u."
I started smiling and felt a warm feeling. This man who I had judged before gave me an unecessary gift simply because I smiled and engaged in a converation with him. This experience taught me so much about how it really, REALLY, makes a difference to be kind to others, especially when it is obvious they have an illness/issue. He was so kind and this was too sweet. It had motivated myself to be kinder and aware of others:-)
What a great lesson and experience, especially with the holidays coming up.