Kind Bus Driver Helps Man Who Became Homeless
How do angels become angels? Perhaps it is by being guardian angels as humans first. Natalie Barnes, a Milwaukee bus driver is such a guardian angel in human form. Natalie was driving her routine bus route when Richard, a passenger she’d served in the past, stepped onto her bus.
Bowing his head, Richard’s reply to Natalie’s, “How are you doing?”, was “I’ve been homeless for a week now.”
Shelter in the Bus
When Natalie first learned of Richard’s trouble, he shared that a unit in the building where he lived caught on fire and he needed a place to stay for a couple of hours. He asked Natalie if it would be ok for her, if he rode the bus for awhile. She welcomed him warmly.
Soon Natalie realized that Richard was a kind and giving person. What caught her attention was his desire to share his little church candy with her and other passengers.
When Natalie saw Richard waiting for her bus on another night, she welcomed him and asked how he was doing.
Natalie remember that exact night. It was really cold and Richard seemed that he had nowhere to go. And, unfortunately, she was right. When he got on the bus he shared that the apartment building where he used to live was condemned and he was homeless, wandering the streets for a week now.
When Natalie realized Richard’s situation she immediately offered him to stay with her on the bus until her shift was over at 2:44 a.m. She even bought dinner for Richard.
Caught on Camera… Being Nice
The camera on the bus caught Natalie asking Richard, if he needed something from the dollar store. It is clear that Natalie was determined to help Richard in whatever way she could.
And then it struck her – she was going to shelter Richard in her bus until her shift ended at 2:44 a.m, but then what? Natalie came up with a solution by calling her friend at Community Advocates. They were able to find a temporary shelter for Richard and promised to assist him in finding a permanent home.
But Natalie went even further. She gave Richard her phone number and insisted on him calling to update her on his situation.
Simple Acts of Kindness Make All the Difference
It turns out that the exchanges between Natalie and Richard were caught on tape by the bus cameras. When the Milwaukee County Transit System noticed Natalie’s act of kindness and compassion, they awarded her third commendation for outstanding service.
Richard is forever thankful and even calls Natalie his “little guardian angel”. Natalie confirms that she and Richard keep in touch and that he is doing well.
Never underestimate the power of a simple act of kindness to change the world.
Gratitude is the music of the heart, when it’s cords are swept by the breeze of kindness.
~unknown
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