What can a leather jacket do for you? Just a few days ago, The Urban Cowboy found out what a leather jacket could do for a complete stranger.
Standing outside a local liquefied hops serving establishment, The Urban Cowboy was busy talking with a cowgirl on his Star Trek communicator thing-a-ma-bob, when a complete stranger walked by commenting, “must be a urban cowboy”, as he proceeded to enter the hop stop.
This comment took me by surprise, all I could think was, “has he seen my site?” As I entered the blue mountain climbing facility and took a stool, the stranger apologized for his comment. Now, The Urban Cowboy was far from being offended, and in fact told the man so.
As we introduced ourselves and did the familiar niceties of exchanging a cowboy handshake, I learned that the comment was meant to invoke me into an exchange of blows with the man. I also learned that his wife had just been diagnosed with cancer, and it may be in the latter stages, with no real hope for treatment. The stranger was distraught, and looking for a way to unleash his anger at the situation.
Taking this as an opportunity to exchange stories about my Grace, and more recently the breakup of my marriage, I was hoping to bring him down from the self destructive mode he was in. Continuing our discussions, he than said that he had purchased enough white, powdery, mind and control stealing substance to run from the anger and pain he was experiencing.
Now, The Urban Cowboy may climb a few blue mountains…but drugs in any form, even the ‘legal’ stuff, is just a no go for me! With the realization that this stranger was headed towards a brick wall and fast, I continued talking for the next hour with him.
Out of nowhere the discussion turned to the leather jacket I was wearing, this was a good thing…his mind was turning to other, non-threatening, non-self destructive areas.
Back to the jacket!
This particular piece of leather is somewhat of a familiar friend. Originally I had purchased this back in the eighties, which makes it well over 20 years old. I even tried unsuccessfully to replace it a couple times…like the love of my life, I always returned to it. As he learned the age of my leather jacket, and seeing what was left of the lining, the stranger asked permission to touch the leather.
Impressed with my leather jacket, the stranger than commented that he now felt a need to get one also. Now this perked The Urban Cowboys ears, and the wheels began to turn. It just so happened that I had a black leather jacket sitting in my truck that I had purchased a couple years ago, and only worn a couple times.
Asking the stranger to follow me, I grabbed the leather jacket sitting in my truck and said that he could have it on one condition, “you throw your bag of s**t away, and keep control of your mind.” I could tell he was moved. Telling me that was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for him, and by a stranger that he was trying to bait into a fight meant even more. The distraught stranger proceeded to get rid of his crap, and before leaving to be with his family, exchanged phone numbers with The Urban Cowboy and extended an invitation to go fishing.
Can you think of a time when you had unselfishly extended a friendly gesture to someone, whether a friend or stranger? Do you think you made a difference? Let us know!
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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
–>Your generosity is so refreshing! I hope you really made a difference in his life. It may improve his relationship with his sick wife as well. Good for you!
~deb
.-= WebSavyMom´s last blog ..The Spider That Sat Down Beside Her =-.
That’s a wonderful story, I hope the man’s life turns up soon. Life has so many ups and downs a person should never be left to go through it on their own. It takes people like you helping out to get through it. Drugs never help when it comes to emotional crap, you just have to suffer through it. I can’t think of a story myself where I’ve paid it forward like you have but I have talked many a person back from the proverbial edge. For reasons I do not know when friend or even a maybe friend has a huge disaster in their lives I seem to be the go to person. I have yet to understand why but it seems to be my lot in life and I have no problem helping people. i think they understand that I have an extremely strong personality and have the extra emotional fortitude to stick by a person when they need a shoulder to lean on or a strong arm to emotionally slap them up side the head. Sometimes that’s all it really takes ya know?
.-= MichelleSG´s last blog ..He’s going to start changing all of his passwords if I keep this up =-.
May I have permission to post a link to THIS post on my blog tomorrow? This brought me to tears. I think it needs to be read by more people. Also may I interview next week? I would just need to e-mail you a few questions to be featured on my blog. Thank you
KS
What an ANGEL you are! When we are at our lowest, God Always sends one! Bless your heart Sweetie…May the Angels kiss you tonight!(((HUG)))
.-= Donna (Texas)´s last blog ..Silly Stuff on a Thursday! =-.
Oh wow. I don’t really know what to say. What an incredibly fantastic story!! He could’ve been on one helluva binge if you hadn’t have been there.
LOVE the second picture. Very hot. Purty bike too. My sister and all her friends ride so I’m starting to get a good appreciation for Harley’s. Although, they still sorta intimidate me.
.-= Dandy´s last blog ..Nap Time =-.
Thank y’all for your kind words…and Kelli-Sue, you betcha.
WOW! What a great exchange between 2 human beings. I have been talking to my kids about not judging anyone because you never know THEIR story. I’ve always tried to be warm and kind to others but I don’t know that i’ve ever had that kind of impact on someones life. What a gift you gave him and I don’t just mean the jacket
What a great post and so great to hear there are people out in the world willing to “Pay it Forward”. Thanks for the birthday wishes and I will definately be linking your blog to my reader list!
Well UC I think you were sent to help that man and I think you did a profound job of it!! That is just an amazing story and you totally handled that perfectly!! I hope that man found some peace so that he could get his focus where it needs to be, with his wife..So sad…
I can’t say I’ve done anything big to help someone. But there is a family whose kids run in the same rodeo circuit as my daughter and the last few months have been hell on them. The husband was badly burned over most of his body when his riding lawn mower blew up, he almost died but he fought hard and won the first battle but is now going through surgery after surgery for skin grafts etc. Then of all things his beautiful sweet wife was diagnosed with an invasive breast cancer in September, so now she is fighting for her life and it just makes me tear up to even think of them and what they are going through. Well I am a Cowgirl Tuff Co retailer and our current line logo is “Never Give Up” so I have this awesome black hoodie with crosses on it and that logo embroidered on the back with our label Victory cross and I have sent it to her as a gift just to remind her to “Never Give Up”.. Just something small but she is a cowgirl through and through so I feel like this will fit her well. She even went and ran barrels at a benefit for another friend who was lost, and she did this when she had just had treatment and was so sick but that’s what she is, a Cowgirl..
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..So all of the sudden it’s Winter here & I got my new Filly!!! =-.
You are a true angel. God crossed you two men’s paths at the exact right moment. Keep up the good work and keep being you.
.-= HoustonGurly´s last blog ..Yay For Yummy Dinners! =-.
That is a truly wonderful story. It is odd sometimes how crossing paths with strangers can change our lives and theirs. I hope that jacket makes him smile even when he is feeling blue. “Sigh” cancer is such an ugly ugly illness.
That was so kind of you!
Very good job.
This path we’re walking….. People are sent to our lives for interesting reasons..Sometimes it takes years to figure out why.
Toby’s Mom
That is incredibly kind and thoughtful of you. I, sadly, would have probably given in to the fight he was obviously looking for. I could take lessons from you. Nice job.
Hi UC,
What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I love by the way that you initially thought “Has he seen my site ?”….chuckle
It is so true that people come into our lives for a reason..and it is clear why he needed to stumble upon you that day. I’d be interested to hear how the exchange affected you ? Why do you think you needed to extend the hand of generosity at that particular time ? (If you feel like sharing ofcourse)
This is truly a story for you to cherish and share forever.
Colleen
.-= Colleen´s last blog ..Passing it On =-.
A great post! Such an item invoking a new way of life. It’s an incredible feeling!
Acts of kindness go a long way.
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