It was February in New England, and the Blizzard of ’78 had immobilized the entire region. Highways were shut down. Too many cars had been abandoned in helter-skelter fashion as the unsuspecting fought snow-drifts on foot in the quest for safety. Yes, this was way before weather.com.
I was a young mother with 2 toddlers.
And no loose cash, no credit cards, no PayPal, no mobile banking, no ATM’s. And, no Google, no WiFi, no Facebook or other “social” stuff.
And, as it turned out, no milk, no bread, not much of anything after days without power or heat.
So hubby decided to venture “out.” He walked for 5 ½ miles in one direction to the country store: Falk’s Market in Plainville, MA. When he got there, Mr. Falks asked, with genuine concern, “How’re you all doing – the wife, the kiddies?”
Hubby replied, “Look, I have to level with you. I have no cash on hand, nothing, but my kids – they’re going hungry.”
Mr. Falks said, “Wait here.” He went out back and returned with a bag chock full of essentials: milk, bread, cold cuts, fresh fruit. As he hands it to my hubby, he says, “I know you’re good for it. And here’s a couple of lollipops.’
Mr. Falks has long since passed on. But when I question if someone is a “good” person, I require them to pass the “Falks’ Test.” They must demonstrate wisdom, selflessness, and, in an unassuming manner, do the “right” thing without asking for or requiring a media blitz.
‘Cause that’s what “good” people do.
Think about it. Yeah …. just think about it. More than 40 years later – and I’m still in awe of this guy.
