A mentally disabled man just broke my back...

[here_is_to_hope]

Hugging me so damn hard, it hurt.
I had just finished recycling a bicycle and dropped it off in front of his house. I knocked on the door and presented him the keys to the lock, pointed at his new bike when he gave me the hug to end all hugs.
I read about him in the local paper, his previous bike was swiped from the local market. I couldn't find that bike but I knew where there was a neglected adult three wheeler that was similar.
28.00 and five hours of work, he is now the proud owner of a 1965 Schwinn Meridian three wheeler.
With a basket between the back wheels that will hold 4 bags of groceries (which my neighbor bought!).
Hurts so good.
Now, where is the Ibuprofen?

Thanks Mom, for teaching me the value of doing what you can, when you can.

[kimmerspixelated]

1. Oh, Man...I'm about to cry!

I love stories like these! Bless you in everything you do!

[lsewpershad]

151. Sorry about to cry.

Can't help but am crying. Seen similar acts of "love' done by my father a very poor man in a very poor country. Loved him dearly and still miss him especially in our seemingly "dog eat dog" world.

[monmouth]

2. Best post of the day and you and your neighbor made a friend for life.

It's stories like yours that reinforces my tolerance of sometimes not so nice mankind. Bless you and yours.

[babylonsister]

3. Your name fits you-what a nice thing to do! nt

[SidDithers]

4. What a wonderful gesture...

:applause:

Sid

[AndyA]

5. What a wonderful thing for you to do.

Somewhere, there's some seriously good karma searching for you!

This is what it's all about, helping others. You've set a good example for the rest of us today.

I'll bet you feel pretty good, despite the achy back!

[icnorth]

6. Your Mom deserves a hug too.n/t

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Here's another huge hug...but I hope it won't hurt

:grouphug:

GOOD FOR YOU, here_is_to_hope!!!!!

And here's a hug for your mom as well.....:hug:

[lamp_shade]

8. My eyes are burning and I've got goosebumps. God Bless You.

[Tikki]

9. And with Spring just around the corner....

your new friend is going to be out and about every day and having a grand time.

Thank you for all you do...


The Tikkis

[otohara]

10. Bear Hug Well Deserved

you rock.

[spoony]

11. Here is to here is to hope!

[firedupdem]

12. What a nice thing to do. You're a special person! n/t

[Junkdrawer]

13. So good to read a non-divisive post on DU for a change....

:applause:

[laststeamtrain]

14. K & R - Fantastic!

:thumbsup:

[B o d i]

15. Here is a toast to here_is_to_hope

:toast:

[Vinca]

16. What a sweet thing to do! You're a beautiful person.

:toast:

[nickyt]

17. MmmmmmmmmmWAH!

That's a big ole kiss instead of a hug!!
Thank you for "keepin' the faith" and for passing it along to us, too!

[Stargazer09]

18. You deserved that HUG! :)

I'm a cyclist, and I always hate reading about stolen bikes. Whether they are hand-me-downs worth next to nothing or custom bicycles worth thousands of dollars, bicycles can be a person's best friend.

It was WONDERFUL to read your post today! I'm so glad you were able to restore some measure of freedom to this man, and it sounds like he wanted to make sure you understood how happy you made him.

So here is a non-painful hug for you, your neighbor, and your mom! :grouphug:

*handing you some Ibuprofen and a gentle pat on the back* :D

[noiretextatique]

19. you made my day

what a wonderful gift you gave that man :fistbump:

[Obamanaut]

20. I just took 3 ibuprofen for you, now the healing vibes are coming your way. nt

[navarth]

21. good on ya

doesn't it feel great to do something nice like that?

except for your back, I mean.

[merh]

22. I adore you

just want you to know that people like you and your neighbor give me hope.

:hug: :hug:

thank you thank you thank you :yourock:

[Liberal_in_LA]

23. I clicked on this thread with trepidation, so glad it was a happy story.

[Liberal_in_LA]

24. do you have link to local story about the disabled man?

[MADem]

123. It's not a newspaper story--it's a personal account. Ergo, no "link." nt

[angstlessk]

25. if you ain't got a star you have missed out on the google ad..with the three

wheeler for growed ups! towing another growed up!

[Uncle Joe]

26. Thanks for sharing both there and here, here_is_to_hope.

Kicked and recommended.:)

[RufusEarl]

27. Paying it forward, what a great thing to do. I salute you sir...

Peace!

[Geoff R. Casavant]

28. Outstanding story all around.

You may not have changed the world, but you've brightened several corners of it.

[Ocracoker16]

29. Wow, what a nice thing to do

It sounds like this gentleman really appreciated what you did for him. You are a good example to all.

[Digit]

30. Bless your pea pick'n little heart!

I don't know why this old saying popped into my head, but you made me smile from head to toe if that is at all possible.

I am inspired by your good deed and dreaming up one I might be able to do.

[roguevalley]

31. aw. just what I needed to read just now. I hug you too, sweetie.

[Ilsa]

32. Your post gives me greater hope for my disabled son.

He is very autistic. People like you will be a blessing to him when I can finally do no more to assist him. Blessings to you. Many blessings.

[malaise]

33. Here's a hug for you

:grouphug:

[hamsterjill]

34. Aw, I love it when someone just "moves"

Just gets up off their butt and does what needs to be done without anyone having to ask that they do it. Not waiting for the crowds or anyone, just does the right thing.

Glad to know you are a part of DU. Thank you for your generosity and kindness to this man!

[jhrobbins]

60. I was talking about this very thing with my partner the other day. In times of trouble

(we are disabled and are having financial trouble with our house, people are always saying - "Just let me know if there's anything you need". Now I know these people generally mean it, but it is difficult to actually make that call. It would be so much better if folks would do what 'here-is-to-hope' did and just do something without the prompt. If you are friends, you most likely know what your friend needs, so don't wait and make them ask-just Nike (just do it)

[hamsterjill]

136. Isn't that the truth?!

My favorite is "call us if you need us"....

It's very refreshing when someone sees a need and steps in to (as you say) JUST DO IT!

We need more people like that in this world!

[tblue37]

138. One man that I know, the husband/father in a family that

actually LIVES their Christian beliefs, does that sort of thing all the time. Several years ago, he noticed that the lawn of a church memeber had become overgrown. He knew the man was ill, so one day he just loaded up his own mower and drove over to mow his lawn. He continued to do that for months, until the man was well enough to do his own lawn.

During a time in my life when my finances were in the tank (I had two small kids and had been recently divorced), that family showed up one day with several bags of groceries for me. They never asked--they just showed up.

I am not at all religious, and I have a problem with the way most religious people act. But when a religious person does, as these people do, the good their religion actually advocates, then I admire them for it.

[tangent90]

35. If a republican ever had a moment of insanity and done that, it would only take a few hours

to decide to sue the guy for medical expenses.


:toast:

[WillieW]

36. Sometimes one needs a hug until is 'squeaks'

[redwitch]

37. I love you!

Very gentle hug from redwitch: :hug:

[Mz Pip]

38. May you find a special place in heaven.

Good on you for your simple act of kindness. :toast:

Mz Pip

[TahitiNut]

39. I want one, too.

A hug, that is. :hug:

[S n o w b a l l]

40. Beautiful!

Thank you for this wonderful act of kindness and for brightening my mood today!

[driver8]

41. The coolest post I have read in a long time!

Good karma is headed your way!! :toast:

[SammyWinstonJack]

42. .

:thumbsup:

[Bluenorthwest]

43. Hey a Meridian is very cool...

what a good deed and fine example. A sweet ride as well!

[Mnemosyne]

44. .

:hug:

[madrchsod]

45. you`ll be known by your good deeds...

my wife works with the mentally disabled and when their emotions take over they lose restraint...

[Generic Other]

46. You are a nice person and deserve more hugs

A 1965 Schwinn. Those were good bikes. They last forever!

:toast:

[Blue Belle]

47. Happy to recommend this thread...

What a great story. :)

[Rider Haggard]

48. I'd finish the job if I were there.

You did good. Which is only one "o" away from god.

And fuck the being quiet about things like this. I love to hear about things like this. You are good people and deserve another "K&R."

[G_j]

49. one of the finest posts I've read!

:applause: :loveya:

[Kajsa]

50. Thank you,

for caring about and helping him!

:hug:

[onethatcares]

51. you are a great person.

congratulations on feeling good. All I can do is applaud your actions, it's what makes getting up in the morning worthwhile.

Peace

[jwirr]

52. I thank your mother to. That was a beautiful thing to do.

[stlsaxman]

53. Beautiful. Stunning and Beautiful!

:yourock: :headbang: :fistbump:

This story would make the baby Jesus weep tears of joy.

[RavensChick]

54. Bless your heart!

That is truly a wonderful story. You're going to be rewarded in ways you can't begin to imagine!

K & R!!!

[catnhatnh]

55. Can I tell you that you made my day and week?

Can I thank you just for so simple a human goodness? Were it in my power I would cook you a fine dinner, wash your clothes, or polish your car. I would simply wish your dreams sweet.

6 hours of labor and through you, we are each redeemed. I thank you extra for the reminder that each of us can choose kindness.

You are the reason I read here and post here.

[santamargarita]

56. What a nice thing to do...

:yourock:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

57. I have as many as you need.

Blessing Be upon you my friend, you've done a wonderful thing.

:hug:

[yellerpup]

58. Here is to you, hope!

Beautiful story! :toast: K&R!

[libodem]

59. Very decent of you

[pacalo]

61. I hope that this heavenly deed comes back to you threefold.

There are angels on earth & you're one of them. I'm saving this to remind me of that belief.

Wow. I'm so impressed.

:hug:

:hug:

:hug:

[Tommy_J]

84. Exactly

Your words just perfectly captured what I was thinking.

[pacalo]

103. Thank you, Tommy...

& a belated "welcome" to DU!

:hi:

[BlueJazz]

62. I think you are just Wonderful...Ah..Can you get me a '67 Chrysler 300D ??

[ckimmy57]

63. Thank you

for being such a good, kind hearted human being (your neighbor too) and your mother done a wonderful job raising you to be a fine young man. :hug:

[Lucinda]

64. I rarely wander into GD these days. Thank you for making me glad I did.

I'm pretty sure I love you. :)

[here_is_to_hope]

79. I had you at "chocolate cake for dinner" .....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=236&topic_id=60176&mesg_id=60176

:)

[Lucinda]

91. Yup. Pretty much!

:rofl:

[neuvocat]

65. Well done!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

66. You made the perfect pilgrimage

In Islam, it is required that all who can afford it should make the Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life. but the rituals involved in it are very intricate, and it is rare that a pilgrim get everything right.

One year at the end of Pilgrimage, a Sufi teacher had a dream in which God came to him and said since a local merchant had made the perfect pilgrimage, all pilgrims were blessed that year. When the teacher awoke, he went to the merchant's house to find out how he had accomplished this feat. When asked, the merchant looked confused. "I didn't take my yearly pilgrimage," he said, "because I found a neighbor whose family was starving. I used the money to feed them and to start him back in his business."

You, Here Is Hope, also made the perfect pilgrimage. Salaam.

[wellstone dem]

82. What a beautiful story to add to this post

thank you.

[shireen]

148. thank you, that's a wonderful story

:hug: to you too.

[livvy]

67. What a wonderful thing to do!

I love stories like this. It restores my faith in humanity. Thank you for being so caring, and for sharing your story!

[BlooInBloo]

68. :))))))

[PatSeg]

69. What a wonderful story!

Thank you for making my day.

[lumberjack_jeff]

70. That's awesome. Thank you for sharing that. n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

71. Oh good for you!

That must have been the best, if painful, hug ever!

[proud patriot]

72. sorry about your back , but you rock

:yourock:

[Mad_Dem_X]

73. You, my friend, are a wonderful person.

Your Mama taught you right.

[RedCappedBandit]

74. You're awesome.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

75. God speaks from person to person

you passed on a touch of the devine :D :hug:

[neverforget]

76. What a wonderful thing to do! Good job!

[grantcart]

77. cheers

:toast:

[sarcasmo]

78. Rec # 90, good for you.

[foxfeet]

80. Good on you!

:applause: :applause: :applause:

[wellstone dem]

81. And you just healed my heart

After a tough day, wondering about whether I will need to lay off some people who serve the poor, I went for a bike ride. I came home, still feeling sad about this world we live in. And then I read your post.

You will never know how many days I will think of this story to keep me going. Thank you.

[Luciferous]

83. K&R what a great thing to do :) nt

[here_is_to_hope]

85. I want to check in and say thank you to those who

have replied with good wishes.

What moved me to post this was an appreciation for my Mother.
I was reading DU, waiting for the pain reliever to kick in and it occurred to me why I do what I do and did what I did.
Mother.
She taught me well, no doubt sowing the seeds for anything good I have ever done.
I know deeds such the this bike deal happen everyday, that a good many people do care about our fellow humans and take the time and effort to make a difference, however small. To those helping, we feel its small but those who have nothing or very little, I see that its big, really big.
Just brace for the hug.
I have limited resources but my Mother taught me that a person only needs a thought. The thought will turn into a deed, the deed a movement.

I hope that others see just how easy it is to change someones life. What took me a few hours of work and 3 hours pay not only gave a man his mobility back but may have helped others to see how easy it is.
Your Mother would approve.

Thanks ya'll, I love DU.

[BrklynLiberal]

86. You are a kind and gentle soul. Thank you for being so.

..and thanks to your mother as well.

[defendandprotect]

98. Your example ....

is something I will certainly try to remember and thank you!

[acmavm]

87. Thank you for reminding us that we all should do this as well.

[omega minimo]

88. Here Is To Hope

:yourock:

[unkachuck]

89. K&R....n/t

[WatchWhatISay]

90. I kiss your feet

gently though

[Raine]

92. Aw sweet

very touching. :-)

[dogday]

93. I really love this story

thanks :hug:

[lucretia54]

94. One more thank you!

Thanks- I needed this today!

It's called the ripple effect...

[leftyclimber]

95. There are few people who bring as much sunshine to the world as do the mentally disabled.

Thank you for doing what was right because you could.

You're good people, here_is_to_hope.

[lonestarnot]

96. I LOVE YOU!

:loveya: :hug:

[defendandprotect]

97. What a lovely thing to do ---

:) and a gentle hug ---

Thanks Mom, for teaching me the value of doing what you can, when you can.



:) :)

[Wetzelbill]

99. besides having a great sig line, that is an awesome story!

:)

[msanthrope]

100. You have a very good mother--and you are a great kid!!! n/t

[samplegirl]

101. What a beautiful Random Act of Kindness

I'm sure it will come back to you.

Your Mom did very good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[madmom]

102. You bleeding heart libral you.. good for you!

[Muttocracy]

104. very kind and very inspiring.

soft :grouphug:

[Roadless]

105. Awesome!

You rock. Seriously.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

106. Here comes a viral bear hug

this one won't hurt!

K&R:hug:

[Subdivisions]

112. I'll join in that hug, thanks =)! n/t

[radhika]

107. I Love You Soo Much

What a great soul!

[Earth Bound Misfit]

108. Nice...

:hug: :toast:

[flvegan]

109. A well deserved Rec #135.

You done good, really good.

[rufus dog]

110. Very cool dude!

nothing more to say except that was great work.

[Tommy_J]

Rec 141

Bless you!

[nevergiveup]

111. 1000 stars for you

[abbeyco]

113. You're the BEST DU'er of the week

or month, possibly.

Good on ya for your efforts - doesn't it feel good to do something for someone in need?

I'm gonna pay the good that you've done forward this week - thanks for motivating me to ensure I go out and do the right thing.

:hug:

[Hannah Bell]

114. wow, is this the most recs ever? good job.

[Oldtimeralso]

115. Thank You, Thank You Mom, and Thank Your Neighbor

From a physically disabled man, who is sometimes too proud to ask when he needs some help getting things done.

[earcandle]

116. Wow! A genuine authentic act of GOODWILL. You are one of my heroes and role models!

[Divine Discontent]

117. so very awesome - DUers continue the spirit of giving.... they are blessed actions. Thank you! EOM

[Contrary1]

118. Nothing to add, that hasn't already been said.

I'm just smiling, because I know how you feel. :)

[shaniqua6392]

119. There are angels among us.

I think you are one of them!!

[democrank]

120. Bless you and your Mom.

Here`s another hug....

[Ferretherder]

121. You and your friend,.....

....are, in my humble opinion, what is BEST about humankind.

Some welcome good amidst the avalanche of bad.

[Cetacea]

122. Blessings to you. n/t

O8) :dem:

[NEOhiodemocrat]

124. The first post I clicked on this morning

and you made my day! Thank you for your inspiration.

[AlabamaBrightBlueDot]

125. Thank you. NT

[reggie the dog]

126. you are awesome

[Le Taz Hot]

127. And they say there are no more heroes . . .

they really are all around us.

[pinstikfartherin]

128. How wonderful! You are awesome! K&R! n/t

[LosinIt]

129. If everyone lit just one little candle

Thank you for your gift that made this man's life so much easier.

[tpsbmam]

130. Tears meet eyes. What a lovely thing to do & to read! K&R (n/t)

[BlueCollar]

131. Thankyou for being you

and thanks to your Mom for being her.

The decency you have shown affirms my belief that people can make a difference.

[Surya Gayatri]

132. You're an true inspiration and

model for all of us. May the divine recompense you in good time. SG

O8) O8) O8)

[myrna minx]

133. You've made my day. K&R.

[HughMoran]

134. Aww crap, you brought a tear to my eye

Thank you.

:cry:

[cpamomfromtexas]

135. BRAVO! If we all did what we could when we could, what a difference it would make.

[poverlay]

137. Pat on the (sore) back. If only everyone would... n/t

[Gman]

139. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

[Maestro]

140. Pay it forward!

Good for you!

[snappyturtle]

141. SWEET!

:hug: This one is guaranteed not to break your back....thanks for making my heart feel warm again for the human race!

[lib_wit_it]

142. Is this what they mean by

"no good deed goes unpunished"? ;)

Cheers to you and your neighbor--awesome act of kindness!

[lightningandsnow]

143. That is so awesome.

:hug:

[Joanie Baloney]

144. Proud to be the 200th Rec!

And proud to be on the same planet with you, Here_is_to_hope!

Your good karma should be assured with that wonderful act of kindness.



:fistbump:

JB

[KalicoKitty]

145. That was so sweet and kind of you!

Democrats DO think of the unfortunate!

:toast:

:bounce:

:yourock:

:headbang:

[windbreeze]

146. We need more posts like this...thank you for what you did...n/t

[shireen]

147. hope you can handle one more hug

:hug:
you are a lovely person. :)

[JuniperLea]

149. You done good, son...

I'm speaking for all mothers of sons. Thanks for teaching us ALL a good lesson in sharing and compassion.

:hug:

:grouphug:

[vanbean]

150. Good on ya! I wish I could feel your pain. I'll try to. (I hate thieves.)

[moez]

152. reminds me of a lovely little ditty by the Dead Milkmen

http://cheap-cds.com/surf/play/64738ao.mp3

[GreenPartyVoter]

153. What an _awesome_ thing to do!!