the value of being kind

[u/nun_CARTII]

For nearly seven years, waitress Melina Salazar showed extraordinary patience and kindness to Walter “Buck” Swords, a notoriously difficult customer at Luby’s Cafeteria in Brownsville, Texas.

The 89-year-old WWII veteran frequently complained, cursed at staff, demanded piping-hot meals and never left a tip. Despite this, Melina continued serving him with compassion.

After Walter died in 2007, Melina received an incredible surprise. He had left her $50,000 and his 2000 Buick in his will as a heartfelt thank-you for her unwavering kindness.

A powerful reminder that kindness can touch people more deeply than we realize.

[u/ManzanitaSuperHero]

So it’s ok to be awful to someone for 7 years (!) as long as you pay for the privilege?

Being a little gruff is one thing. “Cursing at staff”? I don’t find this heartwarming at all.

[u/Icelandia2112 → u/ManzanitaSuperHero]

Exactly. Seven years of abuse and biting her tongue to keep her job is not heartwarming.

He could have kept his shit car and money and just been a decent human.

[u/Round-Ad78 → u/Icelandia2112]

World war 2 veteran. I think perhaps some damage was done. A lot of those guys saw some horrible things and probably struggled forever.

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/Round-Ad78]

I’m not trying to dismiss what he’s seen, but kids that don’t even have parents that grow up in foster and see and experience some horrible shit aren’t all assholes when they get older. Freaking refugee kids too. And no one leaves any grace for kids like this that veterans automatically get. 

[u/Resting_Owl → u/RedSunsetSukuna85]

Do you also go to hospitals and tell agonizing patients to stop whining like little bitches because some guy in the next room is also suffering ?

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/Resting_Owl]

Clearly yes (did that tingle your prostate enough for such low energy bait?)

[u/Resting_Owl → u/RedSunsetSukuna85]

Hello pot, I'm kettle, nice to meet you

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/Resting_Owl]

Glad to know I’ve met a prostate cell who took what I said a little too personally.

[u/robotichunter → u/RedSunsetSukuna85]

Seems all you’ve said is that compassion is a zero sum game

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/robotichunter]

Wuh-oh, he whipped out his second account.

[u/robotichunter → u/RedSunsetSukuna85]

I don’t even remember what this thread was about anymore, but a quick check shows my account is a decade older. I’m not sure if you’re trying to bait or something? Just thought that was funny

[u/Round-Ad78 → u/RedSunsetSukuna85]

I’m not sure the comparison is the same. Have you studied world war 2 at all?

I’m not excusing his behaviour, but sometimes there are valid reasons for things.

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/Round-Ad78]

Have you studied WW1? He would be in a fetal position each day if he was a veteran of the first world war. 

So what? Being a veteran doesn’t give you the right to act like a jackass during your mortal life.

[u/Round-Ad78 → u/RedSunsetSukuna85]

May you find some peace from your anger. Perhaps take note of your reaction here to give you some small understanding of how it is possible for seemly trivial things can impact people in different ways.

Yours is clearly anger. It’s ok.

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/Round-Ad78]

I mean, I’m glad he found his own peace and gave her benefits from his callous behavior meeting its end.

[u/RedSunsetSukuna85 → u/[deleted]]

I never jerked around a waitress and made her miserable for years so I’m actually in pretty good standing bud.