God bless you, Hendrik P

It is amazing the lengths some Winnipeggers will go to help someone in need.

Recently, I was standing at my usual place at a bus stop on Henderson Highway, when a gentleman, said he had noticed me at the stop on several occasions, inquired about my injury which has required my continuous reliance on crutches.

I explained that I had been gored in the leg some months ago and was now unable to work. Where was I headed and did I require help? he asked me. I was going to the nearby Safeway for groceries. He immediately offered to get them for me.

I thanked him for his kindness but declined his offer. Still anxious to help, he offered me $80 towards the cost of the groceries. Again, I thanked him but said I could not take his money. We then parted. In the course of the exchange, we discovered that we live across the street from one another.

The next day when I returned home after visiting my wife at Riverview, as I do on a daily basis, I found a letter under my apartment door from the gentleman. In the letter, he explained that he hadn’t been able to sleep, so great was his concern about my welfare.

These gestures of concern and compassion by themselves would have put him in the category of angels in my opinion — but this was not yet the end of the story. The gentleman, Hendrik P., had bought me a brand new walker. He later presented it to me, along with a bill of sale for $175!

I am not a man of means. I could not have afforded a used walker, let alone a new one. From what he said, I gathered that Hendrick is not well off either, except, of course, in his spirit of generosity, which is remarkable and truly appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you, Hendrik P.

— Wayne Smith