Try a Little Kindness “And the kindness that you show every day will help someone along their way.” – Glen Campbell Albert Patterson B Y R A N DY PAT T E R S O N , B O O M E R O C I T Y. C O M D E D I C AT E D TO T H E M E M O R Y O F PAT PAT T E R S O N A N D A L B E R T PAT T E R S O N
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HIS YEAR Christmas is going to be
just a bit different from any other for me and my cousin and Boomerocity partner, James Patterson. I lost my mom in January after a brief illness. In August, James lost his dad unexpectedly. Mom was in her late 70s, and Uncle Albert was in his early 90s, yet our time with them still seems way too short. For some reason, missing Patricia Patterson them this season has reminded me of an experience I had a seven years ago. Here’s the story. I was on my way to see a Christmas show in Dallas when I stopped to grab a bite to eat. Upon leaving the establishment, an elderly gentleman came up to me. I thought that he was going to beg me for money, but I noticed that he had the look of fear and concern in his eyes. I listened closely to what he had to say. He introduced himself and proved his identity by showing his name on a bus ticket. He said he was on his way home and needed something to eat. He was especially concerned because he was diabetic and was afraid that, if he didn’t eat and take his insulin, he would start having some problems. I said, “C’mon, I’ll buy you some dinner,” and I escorted him back into the sandwich shop I had just exited. When my new friend and I walked into
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EVERYTHING KNOXVILLE December 2018
the shop, the staff behind the counter recognized me and seemed to immediately know what the situation was by me walking in with this gentleman. Here’s the really cool part. The staff began to treat my new friend as royalty. They asked all of the questions necessary to make him a sandwich exactly to his specifications. The whole time my friend was looking like, “This can’t be for real. They’re going to throw me out of here any minute.” We continued down the line, asking him what kind of chips, drinks, and dessert he wanted. He really wanted something hot to drink and, when he learned that they didn’t serve coffee, he opted not to “waste my money” and not get anything to drink. The girl at the cash register picked up on it immediately and asked if he would like some soup. Again, trying to be modest, he said that he would take a small cup of soup. She replied, “How about I put some soup in this cup?” and pulled out a large soft drink cup. He said, “You sure?” We both nodded our heads yes. When it came time to pay, the cashier whispered to me, “I’ll just charge you for the sandwich.” I made sure that my new friend was taken care of. I patted him on his back and wished him Godspeed. He turned around, shook my hand, and thanked me. I turned to say thanks to the cashier, and she was smiling ear to ear – so much so that it seemed to occupy her entire face. I was struck by the fact that three strangers converged at a single moment in time, brought together to show kindness to a man
in fear and need. What did it cost us? It cost me five bucks and a few extra minutes of my time. It probably cost the restaurant another $6 to $10 in product. Helping someone in true need and, hopefully, calming his fears and restoring some of his faith in his fellow man? Absolutely priceless. I went on to the show, but I couldn’t get my mind off of that man. I kept thinking of other things that I could have done or should have done. I wondered if I left him too soon. Then I got to thinking about others that are in need – not just this Christmas, but on both sides of the season. There are people who had great jobs and are now unemployed and in desperate need. I see people on the streets who, through choice or circumstance, are picking garbage cans for food. I know of people living in their cars until they can get a job and pay for a roof over their heads. I never saw my new friend again. However, I have resolved to be more on the lookout for people like him. While I know that I can’t solve all of their problems, I know that I can help in some way, shape, or form and, hopefully, be instrumental in giving them hope to make it through another day and to climb out of the hole that they’re in. Randy’s first interview was at the tender age of 13 with none other than Col. Tom Parker. Thirty-six years later he founded the webzine, Boomerocity.com, and has conducted close to 200 interviews with some of the most interesting people in music.