To have compassion or to be compassionate to someone means to be sympathetic and concerned for the misfortunes of others. I interviewed my mother to learn about a time where she was shown compassion from someone else. I chose my mother because I know that life has not been easy for her and I was interested to see an important moment where kindness was shown to her.
Below is her story.
My mother, Natalie, was born and raised in the city of Baltimore so she has not been a stranger to the violence that this city holds, however she never could have predicted that someone she loved would be a victim to the ongoing violence in this city. She never would have thought that it would hit this close to home. Antawn and her met in the year of 2002 and welcomed my little brother, Antwan, in 2004. They had a long journey of 10+ years together but they grew apart and ended their relationship a couple of years ago. Though they were no longer in a relationship, they shared a bond and raised their son together.
On October 11, 2019, Antawn’s car was shot approximately 10 times, 5 bullets pierced his skin and he passed away on October 12, 2019. My mother couldn’t explain how she felt. From seeing him laying in the hospital bed, holding his hand as he took his last breath or him laying in the casket... she honestly still can’t explain how she feels about her son's father being gone. Antawn being gone not only left us all distraught but it was also difficult because it left her without the support and the extra help. For example, on certain days he would take my brother to football practice or basketball practice, now she has no one to share that responsibility with. One of the biggest obstacles was paying her son's tuition because he attends a Catholic high school which means it isn’t cheap. The tuition is $330 a month. Her and Antawn went half for August, my mom paid for the month of September and Antwan was supposed to pay October.
About a week after his death, my mother was sitting in Weis parking lot because she stopped there on her way to work. She was talking to a friend and she was asking how my mother was holding up. This particular friend is also a coworker and she would always joke around and say how my brother would marry her daughter one day because she wants her son in law to be a future athlete. My mom stated that it was strange that she called her this day because she would usually text her around that time due to the fact that my mother would usually be at work. A few
days prior, she asked my mother about the school that Antwan attends but my mother didn't think anything of it at the time.
On this particular day she asked her “ Are you sitting down?” in which my mom replied that she was.
“Good because I need to tell you something and you don't have to tell anyone else, but Antwans tuition is paid. With everything that yall have going on, the last thing you and him need to worry about is his education.” she stated. All my mom could do after hearing her say that was cry until they were both bawling on the phone together. My mother was going through a lot ever since his death and she's never been the type to ask for help so for her to voluntarily help just made my mother feel so grateful and overwhelmed. My mother later found out that she paid $1900 dollars for the entire school year.
My mother has always been the type of person to show compassion to others. If she has it, then she will definitely will help anyone who needs it. That is why this act of compassion was so important to her because although she always helps others, It isn't often that the help is replicated.
This was my first time hearing about this act of compassion that was shown towards my mother and it honestly made me feel grateful and overwhelmed with joy. My mother has 3 kids and she basically raised us all by herself. Despite her being a single mom, I never had to worry about my next meal or having a roof over my head because she always made it happen. When my brother's father passed away, it negatively affected my entire family. Not only did he lose his life but he lost it to the violence in Baltimore. Nothing has ever been easy for my mom but I know that this was definitely one of the most hurtful things that could have happened to her and my brother. I saw her cry many times after he died and it hurt my heart because nobody ever wants to see their mother distraught or in pain. Knowing that there are still good people out there not only made me feel better but it also inspired me. Hearing about her friend that paid my brother's tuition, made me want to be like her. I would like to be someone in the world that helps others because I saw how much her kindness positively affected my mother and I would like to have that same effect on others.
Below is her story.
My mother, Natalie, was born and raised in the city of Baltimore so she has not been a stranger to the violence that this city holds, however she never could have predicted that someone she loved would be a victim to the ongoing violence in this city. She never would have thought that it would hit this close to home. Antawn and her met in the year of 2002 and welcomed my little brother, Antwan, in 2004. They had a long journey of 10+ years together but they grew apart and ended their relationship a couple of years ago. Though they were no longer in a relationship, they shared a bond and raised their son together.
On October 11, 2019, Antawn’s car was shot approximately 10 times, 5 bullets pierced his skin and he passed away on October 12, 2019. My mother couldn’t explain how she felt. From seeing him laying in the hospital bed, holding his hand as he took his last breath or him laying in the casket... she honestly still can’t explain how she feels about her son's father being gone. Antawn being gone not only left us all distraught but it was also difficult because it left her without the support and the extra help. For example, on certain days he would take my brother to football practice or basketball practice, now she has no one to share that responsibility with. One of the biggest obstacles was paying her son's tuition because he attends a Catholic high school which means it isn’t cheap. The tuition is $330 a month. Her and Antawn went half for August, my mom paid for the month of September and Antwan was supposed to pay October.
About a week after his death, my mother was sitting in Weis parking lot because she stopped there on her way to work. She was talking to a friend and she was asking how my mother was holding up. This particular friend is also a coworker and she would always joke around and say how my brother would marry her daughter one day because she wants her son in law to be a future athlete. My mom stated that it was strange that she called her this day because she would usually text her around that time due to the fact that my mother would usually be at work. A few
days prior, she asked my mother about the school that Antwan attends but my mother didn't think anything of it at the time.
On this particular day she asked her “ Are you sitting down?” in which my mom replied that she was.
“Good because I need to tell you something and you don't have to tell anyone else, but Antwans tuition is paid. With everything that yall have going on, the last thing you and him need to worry about is his education.” she stated. All my mom could do after hearing her say that was cry until they were both bawling on the phone together. My mother was going through a lot ever since his death and she's never been the type to ask for help so for her to voluntarily help just made my mother feel so grateful and overwhelmed. My mother later found out that she paid $1900 dollars for the entire school year.
My mother has always been the type of person to show compassion to others. If she has it, then she will definitely will help anyone who needs it. That is why this act of compassion was so important to her because although she always helps others, It isn't often that the help is replicated.
This was my first time hearing about this act of compassion that was shown towards my mother and it honestly made me feel grateful and overwhelmed with joy. My mother has 3 kids and she basically raised us all by herself. Despite her being a single mom, I never had to worry about my next meal or having a roof over my head because she always made it happen. When my brother's father passed away, it negatively affected my entire family. Not only did he lose his life but he lost it to the violence in Baltimore. Nothing has ever been easy for my mom but I know that this was definitely one of the most hurtful things that could have happened to her and my brother. I saw her cry many times after he died and it hurt my heart because nobody ever wants to see their mother distraught or in pain. Knowing that there are still good people out there not only made me feel better but it also inspired me. Hearing about her friend that paid my brother's tuition, made me want to be like her. I would like to be someone in the world that helps others because I saw how much her kindness positively affected my mother and I would like to have that same effect on others.
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