A hungry homeless man saw an elderly woman struggling to carry her heavy grocery bags. He helped her and carried them home. The next day, the grocery store owner’s man grabbed him by his shirt and took him to the store after the woman found something she never bought in his bag. They say there is light at the end of the tunnel, but for some people, that’s easier said than done. Texas-based carpenter Alfred Tyler tells stories as such.
When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017, it didn’t just destroy her home. Alfred lost his home to the catastrophic floods, and the only person he considered family, his beloved wife, Sophia, was among the hundreds who lost their lives. Since then, Alfred had been living on the streets, homeless and widowed. He saw no hope of living and found no job. He stopped going to Church and often argued with God for making his life so miserable. But one day, God answered all his questions in the most unthinkable way. On a hot afternoon in June 2021, Alfred wandered the street looking for a little shame. He was thirsty and hungry.
He reached into the pockets of his tattered pants and heard a few coins jingle. He decided to save them to buy a brioche or bread for dinner. Exhausted and sweating, Alfred arrived in the parking lot of a supermarket. It was filled with many vehicles, so he figured no one would find him there waiting until the afternoon. Whenever Alfred saw buyers coming out, he would walk towards them, reaching for his dog to take the weapons.
While some threw in a penny or two, others mostly ignored it like it was nothing. Alfred was hurt, but what could he do? Every time something like this happened, he would either smile or blame God for his situation. Tired and hungry, Alfred decided to take a nap in the empty place where he had taken refuge for the afternoon. He had almost dozed off when he heard something scratching on the ground a little further away from him. What is this noise? He muttered and raised his head to see. An elderly woman had just come out of the supermarket with a shopping cart, trying to unload her heavy bags and carry them. Alfred couldn’t just wait and watch. He stood up, even though he could smell his own sweat, and approached the rich woman to help her.
Hello, do you need help? Please give it to me, I’ll help you, he said, grabbing the shopping cart. Alfred started unloading the bags and looked at her again. I can carry them home for you if you don’t mind, he said shyly. The older woman was stunned by the stranger’s interest in helping her because no one had done that to her before. She often shopped there and most of the time she carried her own bags and loaded them into her car. But that day, she didn’t take her car and had to walk home with heavy luggage.
After a brief thought, she asked Alfred if he was sure and told him she had no money. I can’t pay you, young man. I just spent my last time shopping. She looked the homeless stranger up and down, assuming he would just walk away yelling or cursing at her for wasting her time. But Alfred’s response made him understand that not all poor people were after money. You look like my mother and I wouldn’t charge my mother for my help, Alfred said. Please allow me to carry these bags for you.
» he insisted, picking up the heavy bags. For about 15 minutes, Alfred followed the older woman home with her bags. Once they arrived, she invited him for a cup of tea, but he refused. The kindness of the stranger touched the heart of the woman who saw Alfred abandon and disappear into the street. Then she checked her bag and was surprised to find something she didn’t remember buying. She examined the item and decided to try to find the homeless man immediately. The woman returned to the supermarket the next day and looked for Alfred, but he was not there.
She entered the store and met the owner to ask him to find the homeless man. Can you find it, please? He must have come here, she said. The CCDV images should help. When did you see him yesterday? » asked the store owner. I think around 2 p.m. he was in the parking lot. Pause, pause, the store owner told the technician. Is it him? » he asked the woman who was pointing at Alfred on the computer screen. It’s him. Yes, that’s the guy. Let’s find it. » the older woman said after seeing the homeless man in the store, in CTV footage.
The supermarket owner sent his security guards to look for Alfred. He guessed the man lived on the same street or in the same town. After hours of searching platforms, bus stops and parking lots, the men returned with Alfred, grabbing him by his shirt. When the older woman saw how they were holding the poor man, she became furious. Leave it. We told you to bring it, not drag it. Alfred was scared and had no idea what was happening. What’s going on? I didn’t do anything. » He said, his eyes filled with tears and fear. These men found me at the bus stop and asked me if I was there yesterday.
When I told them yes, they grabbed me by my shirt and brought me here. I didn’t do anything or steal anything. Alfred kept begging him to let him go. That’s when the older woman came and hugged him while the others looked at him in surprise. Mom, what are you doing? The store owner asked him. It turned out that she was the mother of the supermarket owner and wanted to meet Alfred to return the chain that had accidentally slipped into her bag. I saw this chain and when I opened the locket I saw this picture.
Is she your wife? She asked Alfred. The man broke down in tears and told her he thought he had lost the only memory he had of his late wife. I thought I would never see him again, cried Alfred. I looked for it yesterday, but couldn’t find it. The older woman told her son, Jacob, about Alfred’s kindness the day before. She took him aside and a few minutes later, mother and son approached the homeless man with good news that moved him to tears. What did you say your name was? Jacob asked him. Alfred Tyler. Mr. Tyler, nice to meet you. My name is Jacob Johnson.
We were looking to hire someone to help our elderly clients with their luggage. I think it would be a good choice. What do you think? Alfred couldn’t believe his ears. Tears fell from his eyes as he folded his hands in gratitude and nodded. He was extremely elated and for the first time since the tragedy he thanked God for helping him. Jacob handed him a uniform and asked him to start the next day. Alfred was happy and before leaving he looked at the older woman to thank her. Thank you so much.
You are no different from my mother, he said in tears. And you’re no different from my son, she said, patting Alfred on the shoulder. Before leaving, he stopped to ask her name. Mary, my name is Mary Johnson, she said, moving Alfred to tears once again. His late mother’s name was also Mary. From that day on, Alfred, once homeless, violates the sweet fruits of his compassion. He found a good job and started going to church every Sunday. Furthermore, he never complained about anything or blamed God again.
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