This morning, I brought our kid to the shopping center, and as I was leaving, I saw this sign. Do you remember when you were a teenager and you would spend the summer days at the mall? Despite the fact that we were dirt poor, we strolled along those faux-marble walkways until they were completely worn down. Going to the mall meant engaging in activities such as swooning over crushes, window shopping, and chit-chatting with pals. Having said that, would any of us have stopped what we were doing when we were teenagers to assist an elderly lady who was in need? To put that into perspective for you, one amazing young man from Compton, California did precisely that when he was out with his pals at the mall. Thankfully, his stepmother was able to catch her kind son on camera giving back to the community, and she uploaded the touching video for the whole world to see and be inspired by.
A young man’s selfless intervention on behalf of an elderly lady in distress garners praise for him.
Dashawn, who was just 13 at the time, made the decision to intervene and do the right thing without giving any thought to whether or not his buddies were watching or to what any girl his age would talk at school. He put his own concerns on hold to assist an elderly lady in navigating the chaotic parking lot of the shopping mall. After seeing her stepson do the kind deed, Maria Lopez uploaded the video to the Love What Matters page on Facebook and shared it with the world. Maria wrote: “I just dropped off our kid in the shopping center today, and I’m reading this as I’m walking out the door.” It would be an understatement to say that we are pleased with the maturing young man he is becoming. Even a woman stopped, and with tears in her eyes, she commended him on his performance. It really does take a village, and everyone in our community is so very proud of you, young man.
Dashawn is the name of our kid, and he is 13 years old at this time. I first met his mom four years ago, and on August 20th, we will celebrate our first anniversary as a married couple. Dashawn’s mother Nicky, grandmother Kiwanis, and grandpa Charlie have been like a second set of parents to him since his father went away while he was still a little child. Together, they have provided him with an exceptional upbringing. Since the first time I met Dashawn, he has always struck me as an exceptionally unique and kind young man. He never stops trying to aid others who are less fortunate in whatever manner he can. And this occurred without being prodded in any way. It goes without saying that everyone in his family is quite proud of him, but there is no one who is prouder of him than his mother…”
She, along with the assistance of her parents, Kate and Charlie, taught in Dashawn from a very early age the importance of respecting and honoring all people, but particularly the elderly. On the 31st of July, Dashawn approached his parents with a request to accompany his pals to the mall. Due to the fact that it was the final day of summer, he was more enthusiastic than normal to hang out with his friends. He was aware that during the school year, he would no longer be able to go to the mall during the weekdays. Let’s fast forward to the point when we’ve arrived at the mall. I gave him his allowance for the day, told him I loved him, and told him I’d see him in three hours to remind him to be responsible with his decisions and that I loved him. After saying that he loved me as well as alright, he exited the vehicle.
As I was getting ready to go, I happened to peek up and notice Dashawn having a conversation with an older woman. Because I was in the vehicle at the time, I wasn’t able to hear what was being said between the two people, so at first I wasn’t quite sure what was going on. The next thing I see, an old woman is offering my kid her bag of food, and then she motions for him to go on the other side of her. After that, I see the following thing. When I had that realization, I knew what was going on. I took out my phone to snap a photo and document what was happening so that his mother and his grandparents could see what I had seen as well. Although it was not necessary for Dashawn to interrupt his own enjoyment in order to assist this lady, he did it without hesitation nevertheless. This young child has obviously been given a good upbringing by his mother, his stepmother, and the rest of the “community.” He is going to have a good head on his shoulders and will be a compassionate and kind adult when he gets older. It can’t be denied under any circumstances.