One Person Can Make A Difference!

A while back, in 2004, I was working at a family owned gas station in New Hampshire. I met all kinds of people every day. One day a Father and son came into the store and they stuck out like a sore thumb.

They needed some help with a flat tire, so I let them use the store phone to call AAA. While waiting, we began to talk and we found out we had a lot in common.
The tow truck came and put Father and son on their way. After that day I saw the Father and son off and on for the next few weeks; they always made sure to find me to say hi and talk.

During one of our talks, I found out the little boy was a huge Boston Red Sox fan, just like me. I thought that was pretty cool. So as time went by we kept talking baseball and we were excited because the Sox were doing so well.

I didn't see the Father or son for a few weeks; when they finally walked in one stormy day, it felt like an eternity. Father and son looked so sad I did not know what to think. The Father came to me and started telling me the Dr.s had found cancer in his little boy, who needed to be treated right away.

I was in shock and disbelief at what I was hearing. This poor little boy is only 7 years old. The Father told me the cancer was spreading fast and I wouldn't see them for a while. With that they had to go. I wished them good luck and God bless

By now the Sox are in the playoffs with the Yankees, and I kept thinking about what I could do to help this family, when I happened to see the Father come into the store with his little boy. The child had lost so much weight, he could not have been more than 70 pounds or so, and his eyes had dark circles around them. To me he looked ghostly. The Father informed me his little boy could no longer eat food normally and had to use a tube connected to his stomach in order to eat. At this point, I had enough; I could not take any more. The sadness on both their faces made me feel so powerless I had to act, I had to do something for them.

Knowing they were huge Red Sox Fans, and knowing I had tickets to the Sox, and knowing it was the playoffs, I gave them my tickets to see a game at Fenway Park.

These were not just any tickets; these were tickets to the formerly known 406 club, which at that time was behind glass just above home plate 3 rows back from that glass. The tickets also included valet parking and an upscale all-you-can-eat buffet; and let me tell you, that buffet had the best food I had ever eaten in my life.

I gave them those tickets, without hesitation, and said, “Go, have fun. It’s the least I can do.” The little boy instantly gave me a hug, and I got a good strong handshake from the Father.

Some people I worked with said I was stupid, they said I should have given the tickets to someone else if I were going to just give them away. I knew I had done the right thing.

Time passed, and the game came and went. I couldn't wait to see the Father and son; Of course, the Sox lost that game, but it was alright since they still won the World Series that year.

One day soon after, a little boy came into the store waving a flag, wearing a Red Sox hat and shirt along with a huge smile. I received another huge hug from the little boy who began to tell me what a good time he had during the game, what he ate from the buffet, and how much fun he’d had. He was all smiles and so was his father. His father said he could never thank me enough for the joy I had given the family, and he wished they could pay me back. I told them, “You’ve already paid me back, your happiness is enough.” Off they went, and I went home feeling really good; it was the best high I have ever felt. I will remember that moment forever.

By now the Sox had won the World Series, which was a feat in itself, and I had not seen the Father-Son duo in a few weeks. I began to wonder how they were doing. I finally got my answer on a dark and stormy night; the wind was howling, the rain pelting down hard, and lightning flashed as the thunder shook the ground.

I saw the Father walk into the store and my eyes widened as I eagerly looked behind him for his son, but I did not see him anywhere. I noticed the Fathers expression and a cold chill went through my entire body. The Father pulled me aside and told me his little boy’s fight with cancer was now over, he was no longer in pain. My eyes instantly began to fill with tears.

I was so sad at this moment and the Father looked at me, smiled, and said, “Do not be sad, you gave my son the greatest gift anyone could have given him.”
I asked the Father what he meant and he replied, “Happiness. Those tickets you gave us meant more to him more than you know.” He said, “After that game we saw life back in our little boy’s eyes, he was smiling again and we owe it all to you.”

I did not know what to say; I was overwhelmed with emotion. The Father then told me how his little boy had always wanted to come to the store to see me and talk about baseball with me. Then the Father left and I never saw him again.

I realized helping that family made me a better person. I truly miss that Father and Son duo, and I will never forget them as long as I live.

I never found out what kind of cancer the little boy had, but what I do know is that one person can make a world of difference, if they care enough.