Woman saw a grocery store employee walking miles along the highway—her next action was inspired by her late son
Sometimes, helping someone else can be healing for a person. A mom, Debbie Rhoden, who decided to offer a ride to a grocery store worker walking 5 miles to work, experienced that, too. The woman had recently lost her son and knew how fond he was of helping other people. So she decided to help the Kroger worker, Keith Tidwell. They ended up forming a friendship over the next year and a half that turned out to be helpful for both of them, per 13WMAZ News.
Debbie had seen Keith quite a few times at her local Kroger store in Macon. However, neither of them had ever spoken to the other. But when Debbie noticed Keith walking to work one day, she decided to offer him a ride. "I said that looked like the young guy who works at Kroger. So I turned around, went back and got him." The man had been walking to work for quite some time. It wasn't an easy commute, as it took him an hour and 45 minutes to finish. Keith lived in Jones County and had to walk or bike to work and back every single day. His commute was especially hard after his shift at Kroger, as he had to walk after dark.
Keith was a little apprehensive about getting into a stranger's car at first, but decided to accept her offer. "I don't really know her that much, but I decided to take a chance." Now, the two of them have become friends and have known each other for a year and a half. Debbie drives Keith quite a few times a week, according to the outlet. The act wasn't just helpful for Keith, though. Debbie had lost her son, Carlos Hill, just a few months before when she offered Keith a ride. "I think he would have wanted me to pick him up and take him to work, especially when he knew how far he had to walk at night." The woman shared that her late son loved helping other people.
The man hoped to get a driver's license so he could drive to work and back. Nonetheless, he hoped to stay in touch with Debbie in some way. "It's pretty nice. She's nice to me. And I mean, I learned that she has a brother," Keith pointed out. Debbie was glad that she offered the man a ride that day without thinking too much. "I was not nervous at all because I felt like I was doing a good thing, taking him to work, getting him to work safely, so hey, I wasn't nervous." People in the comments section of the YouTube video appreciated the woman's kind gesture.
@Carriedteamavatar wrote, "That's a mother seeing her late son in this man. May God bless this young woman." @user-bd3 commented, "I love his determination to get to work. I respect her heart for humanity. I hope he is able to pass this kind gesture on to another human being." @susanford2388 remarked, "Bless her act of kindness, she knew where he worked, recognized him and perhaps was guided by her son's love to let her know it was safe to stop." @allthingsnu473 shared, "It's so nice to hear a good story after the week of horrible news we've had around the country. May God bless and protect them both."