Tuesday, August 10, 2010

This Is Really Ryan's Story

My husband is the kindest, most caring person that has ever walked the face of the planet. I know, everyone thinks that of their spouse, but in my case it's true. I think in certain situations even Jesus would say "dude, you don't have to do that," but Ryan would do it anyway.

Last night Ryan was driving to the store when he saw a woman crossing a street near our home that she obviously shouldn't have been crossing, because she obviously shouldn't have been walking at all. She was at least 75, limping, and had on sandals that were being held together by tape and faith. Ryan, being the guy that he is, pulled over and asked where she was going. She pointed to a nearby bakery. He asked if she was planning to walk back home, and how far it was. She said yes, and about nine blocks. He told her to wait for him at the bakery. He came home, traded out the high truck for the much lower car, and went back to fetch her.

When Ryan arrived he found the woman eating a slice of bread on the patio. This bakery is known for giving out free slices, and she had walked to get hers for dinner. Ryan went into the bakery, bought her a loaf of the bread she was eating, and then told her whenever she was ready to go, he was ready to take her. She was ready to go.

They got into the car, and Ryan asked where she lived. She told him the address of an old hotel recently renovated into apartments for the chronically homeless. It is much more than nine blocks away. They started driving, and sat quietly for a moment before she spoke up. "I hope you are just doing me a favor," she said, "because I don't have any money, and I don't do the sex."

I can only picture the look on Ryan's face. I am imagining he turned redder than his hair.

He says he sputtered something about having a wife and a child, how he works with young people, and never wanting to harm anyone in any way. He thought about showing her pictures. Then she started talking again, this time about all the people out to get her, and he fretted all the way to her apartment about if she was still afraid of him.

I think Jesus even would have been chuckling at that point. Then he would have thanked himself that there are people like Ryan in this world.

I know I do.

27 comments:

Wanna Bee said...

ohhh - that is so sweet , what a great guy!

for a different kind of girl said...

Ryan is awesome. I know a few friends of God's, and I'm pretty sure some of them wouldn't do what Ryan did for that woman.

I just want to repeat - Ryan is awesome.

ShaLyse Walker said...

Oh my gosh that is sooo sweet what. Good, good guy.

Ca88andra said...

Sometimes I hear or read about someone doing a wonderful thing that makes me believe in humans again. This was one of those times!

Anonymous said...

That is one of the kindest stories ever! I heart him!!!!!

Leslie said...

That is a very sweet story :-)

Nicole said...

Wow. That is kindness beyond belief. I think Ryan is Jesus.

Kelly said...

What an awesome guy you have there Libby!

BugginWord said...

I needed that. Squishy hugs.

Gina said...

I love reading stories like this - people don't do enough kind things for each other these days.

Lisa Page Rosenberg said...

You have excellent taste in boys.

L.A. Harker said...

That is so great. Totally made my day!

Amanda said...

He's just busily making up for Meg's new found love of whacking people with spatulas.

Samantha said...

I was loving him anyway from this story, but then it turns out he's also an orange kid? Now it's official. :)

She Said said...

Pure awesomeness. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

That's beautiful. Thanks for sharing this. Last night, I was telling my husband that I wanted to hide under a rock, because the world is full of selfish assholes. It feels good to know that I might be wrong!

Anonymous said...

Man, I was patting myself on the back for handing my favorite twig waving homeless a fiver this morning on my way to the highway so clearly I'm suffering from delusions of grandeur.
That story was not only incredibly sweet but a perfect example of what needs to happen in every person to turn this shit world around. Team Ryan.

VEG said...

That entry made me both really sad and really amused all at once. Ryan is a lovely guy clearly. I snorted aloud at the lady's question. But really, how sad too. Yet happy. Hell I don't know, it's my period, I'll cry if I drop my paintbrush today.

G. B. Miller said...

Very kewl indeed.

And I would probably have the same reaction (or much worse) had the question been asked of me.

You indeed got a great guy on your hands.

Jen said...

Wow. Way to go Ryan.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

What a amazing story. An amazing guy.

Anonymous said...

Lol

awesome

Me, You, or Ellie said...

"I don't do the sex"? That is perfect.

Ellie

Anonymous said...

You know, I really wasn't ready to face today but now you have shown me that there really are good people in the world and maybe it will all be ok. I hope so, anyway. Thanks for posting this and thanks to Ryan for being an inspiration to me this morning.

Unknown said...

i miss you guys. ryan- thank you for being a real, good human being. libby-thanks for sharing your wonderful husband with the rest of us.

Three Cats and a Baby said...

LOL!

What a sweet husband you have <3

By the way I love the new pic of Meg on the side of the blog.

Bridget Callahan said...

Gold Star.