"Good Samaritan" by Katy O

      It all started at driving school. I know right! Who’s parents would make their kid actually
go to driving school instead of taking online classes? Well, mine did. But anyways, back to the matter at hand. It was just the usual day of driving class during Spring Break of 2017. I would sit in the small, cramped classroom and get lectured on why it’s dangerous to have your brights on while it’s foggy. Then, finally might I add, the class was dismissed for lunch. We all walked up the street to the nearest food center up the street. I was strolling along the sidewalk minding my own business when I saw this lady with a suitcase next to her. As I took a closer look, I realised that she was homeless. At first, I just saw her as another homeless woman wandering the streets in California. But then, when I got to thinking about it, I had always wanted to help a person in need. It all started from Youtube (classy I know). I would always see these nice and kind-hearted people help out those less fortunate. Some would give the homeless person $100 while another bought an entire house for a man. After seeing those videos, I had told myself that if I ever saw a person in need like that then I would help change their life. So I took this as my chance to change someone’s life. Or at least their day. I ran as fast as I could to the nearest Target to get some food and water for the woman. I couldn’t stop smiling. It got to the point where I felt like my cheeks were about to break off. I felt good. So, I got the food and drinks and put them in my red bag from Etiwanda High School. I walked as quickly as I could down the street and back to where I saw the woman. But when I didn’t see her, my smile instantly faded. I really thought “that would happen to me.” As in, “I really could’ve helped someone but instead they left” type of deal. At least, that’s what I thought. I started walking down the hill slowly and I imagine that I looked something like a dog with its tail between its legs because that’s just how disappointed and sad I felt. Here I was, trying to make a difference and get some good karma, only for it to blow up in my face. This is not how I planned it out in my head. So, as I trudged along the jagged and cracked sidewalk, I pulled my head up to see if I was close to the crosswalk at the end of the street. As I’m looking, I see her. I see the woman that I wanted to help so badly. “Oh heck yes”, was the thought that ran through my head at the sight of the woman with the purple suitcase. Quickly, I sprinted down the street in order to catch up with the lady who was walking away from her shady spot by a tree. My smile from the store returned. I shouted to her, “Excuse me ma’am!” I had to do this a couple of times because I was still pretty far from her. After the second time of calling her, she turned around. She had a look of confusion and a little bit of fear as she probably thought, “Okay, why is this random stranger running full speed at me whilst calling me?” I finally got up to her and introduced myself. I told her my name and that I saw she was under the tree. She explained to me that she was waiting for the next bus but she realised that she doesn’t have the money to pay the fair. Then, I pulled the two salads and water bottles out of my bag and gave it to her. She took all of the items and said, “How did you know I like salads?” I smiled as I replied that it was a lucky guess. She then looked back up at me and asked me if I was with a group. I said no. Then she asked if I was with a church. I said no again. She seemed astonished at the fact that I bought her all of her food and drinks simply because I wanted to. She looked at me and said thank you and my heart just filled with warmth and happiness. I finished the meeting by giving her the $22 dollars in change I had so that she could pay for her bus. We both exchanged “God bless you” and parted ways. I called my mom on the way back to class and told her about the entire exchange. She

said she was happy for me and, as lame as it sounds, I started crying. She asked why and I simply said that I felt good about what I had just done. After the phone call ended, I looked back on all of the things that I have. I have a family, food on the table, a roof over my head, and clothes on my back. I then realised that there are so many people who would do anything to have all of the things I’ve been blessed with. Each and every day, I pray to God and tell him that I’m thankful for all of the things I have ever since that encounter. And as the holiday season approaches and we all get the things we asked for for Christmas, I recommend that we all recognize our blessings and give back to those who aren’t as fortunate. I don’t really know why this memory has stuck with me but I’m glad it did. It taught me to always be grateful and never take things for granted. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was my good samaritan act of the year.