The fluorescent lights of the discount electronics store hummed, a monotonous drone that seemed to amplify the weariness in Arthur’s bones. At 70, he hadn’t expected to be back in the workforce, but his wife, Eleanor, needed surgery, a costly procedure that their meager savings couldn’t cover. So, he’d taken the job, a part-time gig at a place that sold everything from bargain-bin headphones to refurbished laptops.
The work was tedious, the customers often demanding, but Arthur endured it. He focused on Eleanor, on the image of her healthy and vibrant again, and the days passed.
One afternoon, a man entered the store, his hesitant steps and the white cane tapping ahead of him clearly marking him as visually impaired. He approached the counter, his brow furrowed in concentration. “Excuse me,” he said, his voice soft, “I’m looking for a digital voice recorder. Something simple, for taking notes.”
Arthur, who had been organizing a display of phone chargers, paused and offered a kind smile. “Certainly, sir. We have several options. Let me show you.”
He led the man to a shelf displaying various voice recorders, explaining the features of each model in clear, concise terms. The man listened attentively, nodding occasionally. Finally, he settled on a small, unassuming device. “This one sounds perfect,” he said. “How much is it?”
Arthur checked the price tag. “That’s $39.99, sir.”
But before Arthur could ring up the sale, the store manager, a young man named Kevin, with a slicked-back hairstyle and an air of arrogant impatience, stepped in. “Actually,” he said, his voice laced with a false sweetness, “that model is $79.99.”
The visually impaired man hesitated, his brow furrowed. “That’s… that’s quite a bit more than I expected.”
“It’s a high-quality device,” Kevin insisted, his eyes glinting. “Worth every penny.”
Arthur’s stomach churned. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He knew the price, he had just checked it. He couldn’t stand by and let Kevin take advantage of this man’s vulnerability.
“Excuse me, Kevin,” Arthur said, his voice firm, “the price is $39.99. I just checked.”
Kevin’s eyes narrowed. “Are you questioning me, old man?” he hissed, his voice dropping to a low growl.
“I’m correcting you,” Arthur replied, his gaze unwavering. “It’s the right thing to do.”
The visually impaired man, sensing the tension, looked from Arthur to Kevin, his expression confused.
Kevin’s face flushed crimson. “You’re making a fool of yourself,” he spat. “You think you know better than me?”
“I know what’s right,” Arthur said, his voice steady.
“Get out!” Kevin roared, his voice echoing through the store. “You’re fired! You’re nothing but a washed-up old fool. Get out of my sight!”
Arthur stood his ground, his gaze fixed on Kevin. He felt a surge of anger, but he also felt a strange sense of peace. He had done what was right.
He turned to the visually impaired man. “Sir,” he said, his voice gentle, “the price is $39.99. I’m sorry for the confusion.”
The man smiled, a grateful expression spreading across his face. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for your honesty.”
Arthur nodded and walked away, leaving Kevin fuming behind the counter. He gathered his belongings, his heart heavy but his conscience clear. As he walked out the door, he knew he had lost his job, but he had gained something far more valuable: his integrity.
The next few days were difficult. Without his job, the burden of Eleanor’s surgery loomed larger than ever. But Arthur refused to despair. He spent his days searching for new opportunities, his determination fueled by his love for Eleanor.
One afternoon, he received a phone call. It was the visually impaired man he had helped. The man, whose name was Thomas, was a lawyer. He had been so impressed by Arthur’s honesty that he wanted to offer him a job.
“I need someone I can trust,” Thomas said, his voice warm. “Someone with integrity. And I believe you’re that person.”
Arthur was overwhelmed. He had never expected such kindness, such generosity. He accepted the job, his heart filled with gratitude.
With his new job, Arthur was able to pay for Eleanor’s surgery. She recovered quickly, her health restored, her smile brighter than ever. Arthur had lost a job, but he had gained a friend, a new career, and a renewed sense of purpose. He had learned that even in the face of adversity, honesty and integrity will always prevail. And that sometimes, the most unexpected acts of kindness can change your life forever.
Mom was deeply emotional after her 3-year-old son lost his foot in a lawn mower accident, but he reassured her that everything would be okay.
After a lawnmower accident resulted in the amputation of his left foot, Keirsten Marsico’s little son Joey consoled her by telling her that everything will be alright.
“I was crying naturally when he came out of surgery that night, and he just held my head and said, ‘Mommy, what’s wrong?’” Marsico told PEOPLE his story. “I told him, buddy, I’m really sad.”
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Joey, who was only a few weeks away from turning four, was watching his grandfather Mark DeLuca mow the lawn outside their Whitehall, New York, home on Thursday, May 9, when he made a snap decision that put him in danger.
Keirsten talked about her “active little boy,” the youngest of her two children, saying that “he really loves tractors and enjoys helping with the lawn.” “He approached my dad, who was riding the lawnmower, from behind. My dad threw the mower in reverse before my mom could get to him, and everything happened all at once,” she remembered. “The events that led to what happened were a series of events.”
“It’s been tough on all of us, especially my parents who feel absolutely awful,” Keirsten continues. Specifically, my dad is distraught.
The family believes that Mark DeLuca’s quick use of a tourniquet probably saved Joey’s life. After being transported to Boston Children’s Hospital, Joey had many foot procedures before it was decided to amputate.
Despite the difficulties in his recuperation, Joey’s maturity and upbeat attitude have astounded his family and friends, as well as his caregivers and physicians.
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“What a strong little guy,” Keirsten says. At times, conversing with him is like to conversing with a teenager. He has excellent adjustment.
Joey’s father, Joseph, remarks, “He’s always been that way—very understanding, perceptive of people’s emotions, and adept at coping with situations.” Joseph is reflecting on his son’s exceptional maturity. In addition, he speaks a lot and has a vocabulary that is above average for his age.
The Marsicos, along with their autistic 6-year-old daughter Gianna, settled into a new routine during Joey’s almost month-long hospital stay.
“We tried to maintain a sense of normalcy for my daughter because she attends school,” Keirsten says. “My spouse and I decided that one of us should stay at home with her because she needs routine.”
Joseph stayed stubbornly by Joey’s side, while Keirsten stayed at home. “He’s still by Joey’s side,” Keirsten underlines.
Keirsten reflects on a touching incident by saying, “The other day, as I was leaving Joey, I was crying, and he consoled me again.” I told him it was okay and that I didn’t have to be sad as he wiped away my tears. “I know, but I don’t like leaving you,” I said to him.
The Marsicos take comfort in the knowledge that Joey’s accident was a terrible exception and in their Catholic faith.
“My worst fear is that people will hear this story and think, ‘Why weren’t they watching him?’ or ‘How could they let this happen?’” admits Keirsten, expressing her deepest concern. As his mother, I’ve struggled with it.
She does, however, take solace in her faith, thinking that Joey’s experiences have a greater meaning. “I have to constantly tell myself that everything is happening for a reason. Even if we can’t see it now, God has a plan for him, Keirsten says.
She says, “I would tell someone else it’s an accident if they were in our shoes.” “Accidents happen, and focusing on ‘why’ won’t help—it will only make you feel bad about yourself.”
Keirsten highlights how resilient their family has been in the face of hardship. “We must change and get over what is going on. Our priorities are helping Joey and continuing to be a solid family unit.
After being away from home for almost a month following the accident, Joey was released from the hospital on June 5. Earlier last week, he had his fourth birthday celebration.
His parents are hopeful that he will heal and that he will soon get a prosthetic fitted. They are in awe of Joey’s capacity to communicate his emotions and offer consolation to others during this trying time.
Warmly, Joseph says, “He’s always been such a special little boy.”
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