There are people in the world who only worry about themselves, and then there are people who have very big hearts. These helpful people are the ones we should be following in the footsteps of. They are the people who restore our faith in humanity. Ruth Reed happens to be one of them, and we thank her for her kindness and generosity. Read on to find out why Ruth paid for a complete stranger’s groceries, and who he ended up being…the result is far from expected!
Lending A Hand To Those In Need
Ruth Reed is an individual who is kinder than most. This previous summer, she was doing some shopping at a convenience store when she spotted a man asking for help. He did not have the money to cover the groceries he had in his basket. Reed saw him and gave him $5 without realizing just who this guy was. As the saying goes, what comes around goes around…
Lending A Hand To Those In Need
An Act Of Kindness
“It looked like he was using a card and it didn’t go through, and then he asked a young lady for $5, and I thought this is it, so I said, ‘No, I’ll get it,’” the retired schoolteacher recounted. It was not long before Ruth realized that he was someone she recognized from somewhere. Who was he?
An Act Of Kindness
A Familiar Face
She even told him just how familiar he looked like! The cat eventually got out of the bag. Even though the truth later dawned upon her, there was no way she could have known how everything would fall into place. But why didn’t he have the money to pay?
A Familiar Face
Wawa Location
This incident happened at the Wawa located along Route 541 in Medford, New Jersey. When you consider the fact that it took place in this store, it makes perfect sense. The employees at the shop are remarkably nice and helpful, which then rubs off on the customers.
Wawa Location
A Following
The convenience store and gas station chain is probably the only one to have an actual following of sorts. Although Wawa is open every day and every hour in most places, there is more to it than just how convenient it is.
A Following
Recognizing Him
It kind of makes sense that Ruth decided to show this act of kindness in the store. In Wawa, you are bound to run into a person you know the moment you go through the door. Looking at him sparked a sense of recognition in her, but where could she possibly know him from?
Recognizing Him
A Former Student?
Could he have been her student at one point? She knew her students frequented the Wawa for coffee and all the yummy sandwiches and treats they stock. But, no. This man was much older. She doubted it was a former student of hers. However, she soon realized just who this person was…
A Former Student?
You Look Like Keith Urban
Ruth Reed kept telling the story: “And he said, ‘What’s your name?’” After introducing herself, he told her, “Ruth, I’m Keith.” Truly, she thought the young gentleman looked a lot like Keith Urban. She even said, “That’s who you look like, Keith Urban. Do people ever tell you that you look like Keith Urban?”
You Look Like Keith Urban
She Needed Convincing
Much to her surprise, the man said to her, “I am Keith Urban.” She could not believe her ears…what did he just say? When you hear something this outrageous, a little more convincing is in order…
She Needed Convincing
Rich And Successful
First of all, how could someone as talented and successful as Keith Urban find himself out of cash? After all, the musician is believed to have built up a net worth of around $75 million over the years. Something wasn’t adding up.
Rich And Successful
Not Adding Up
Although no multi-millionaire will ever carry all of his fortune with him wherever he goes, there was no way they would not have the money to pay for their groceries. If he was actually someone rich and famous, why was he doing his trivial shopping trip on his own instead of paying people to do it for him?
Not Adding Up
Thankful For Her
If you ask Keith Urban, he was grateful that there was someone willing to help him in his time of need. Considering how much misery and pain there is in the world, he could not believe this woman was acting so generously.
Thankful For Her
The Man Himself
However, she still could not believe that she just happened to help out Keith Urban himself. It is a good thing that she eventually wrapped her head around his identity, but people who don’t know him might be confused about what is going on.
The Man Himself
Who He Is
Even people who are not fans of country music have likely heard of the name Keith Urban before. Born in New Zealand, the musician lived in Australia for a long time before he packed his bags to relocate to the United States. He is one of the best-known stars in this genre, and it is not unusual for his shows to sell out when he goes on tour. Regardless of how popular he is, it seems like he isn’t as recognizable as one might think…
Who He Is
A Fan Of Shopping
It turns out that Keith Urban is a fan of going through the aisles at the local grocery store and picks out his items by himself. There is no doubt in our minds that he has the money to get someone to buy whatever it is that he wants.
A Fan Of Shopping
Prefers Doing It Himself
However, he has said that he does not like doing this as there is a chance they will not get the items he specifically wants. To ensure he gets these things, he often drops by convenience stores and supermarkets to pick them out by hand. His daughters and wife often accompany him.
Prefers Doing It Himself
It Happens
On that particular August day, he was going up and down the aisles as usual. He already picked the things he wanted to buy and was ready to pay for them. However, there was something he did not check….
It Happens
Not Enough
He did not have enough money on him to pay for everything he had in his cart! He only had $10 in his pocket at the time. No one could have expected such a successful celebrity to be unable to pay for his groceries, but this was what happened.
Not Enough
Saving The Day
That was how Keith Urban found himself in the queue, only to realize that he did not have sufficient cash to pay for his milk and eggs. Ruth Reed has reported that he looked like he was using a card that did not work. Uh oh…
Saving The Day
She Jumped At The Opportunity
He did not want to put the groceries back, so he looked around to see if anyone had cash to spare. He was about to ask a young woman to borrow some money, but this was when Ruth jumped in to offer him the cash he needed to pay for his groceries.
She Jumped At The Opportunity
She Was Unconvinced
Even after paying for his groceries, she still could not believe he was actually the country legend he said he was. Ruth thought he was merely some regular Joe who was particularly unlucky on that day. How was it possible for a popular musician not to have enough money to pay for his items?
She Was Unconvinced
Broke
She wanted to verify if he was telling the truth and how come he did not have enough money for his groceries. In response, he told her the truth – he forgot his money at home and was broke at that moment. Hmmmm.
Broke
Heat Of The Moment
Ruth Reed revealed that she actually got a little testy with the man. She told him, “Really? Really? Then where’s Nicole? And who was that woman you were here with?” Clearly, she is a fan of Nicole Kidman and was unimpressed by the man calling himself Keith Urban.
Heat Of The Moment
Suspicions
It did not help that there was something suspicious about coming into the store with a different woman. Keith only laughed and told her that his wife was waiting for him at back. The lady accompanying him was actually his sister, apparently!
Suspicions
Realization Dawned Upon Her
She nearly asked the lady to confirm until she came to this realization: “I don’t think he would lie to some old lady.” At that moment, Ruth Reed realized there was a bodyguard with them. It was all she needed to piece the puzzle together…
Realization Dawned Upon Her
The Rich & Famous
After all, only the rich and famous would go inside convenience stores accompanied by a bodyguard. “And I just fell apart, fell apart and he was gracious,” she later recalled. She told him he should return to his lovely wife, but the musician had something else in mind…
The Rich & Famous
Kindness All Around
The two started talking, and he discovered that she actually does this on the regular. As a matter of fact, Ruth once made it a point to help out someone with their tab once each week. She started doing this thanks to a New Year’s resolution she thought of in the past. “He really could have said, ‘Lady, get away from me,’ and he didn’t,” she said. “He was very kind.” Yes, Ruth, and we can see why he would act that way to someone as wonderful as you!
Kindness All Around
Running On A Busy Schedule
That was when the bodyguard urged Keith Urban to go back into his car. Considering that it was his job to ensure the security of his boss, there was a good reason the bodyguard got impatient. Nonetheless, Keith was simply in awe at the wonderful elderly woman he just met as well as her weekly habit. Aside from that, she later told CBS that she and her spouse “…decided when we saw military people we would treat them at Wawa or Dunkin’ Donuts or whatever.”
Running On A Busy Schedule
The Nicest Lady In Medford
It comes as no surprise to hear that the story went viral. A Facebook user left this comment on the story: “Lucky you Keith Urban! You got to meet one of the nicest ladies in Medford!” Ruth was turning into something of a celebrity herself! And her talent is kindness!
The Nicest Lady In Medford
Concert Tickets
Keith Urban was so inspired by this retired schoolteacher that he even dropped $5 in the Wawa donation box and asked to take a photograph together. Oh, and tickets to his concert! It was the least the musician could do to show his appreciation for her random act of kindness.
Concert Tickets
The Best Thing About It
If you ask Ruth Reed about the one-of-a-kind encounter, she would tell you that the best thing she got out of it was spreading the thought of kindness. These stories are truly powerful enough to change the world! Considering how much hardship and suffering people experience on a daily basis, it is easy to act despondently. We only need a helping hand every now and then to give us a new perspective on the world. However, there is more to the story…
The Best Thing About It
It Was Nothing Special
Ruth Reed does not consider herself to be someone special. As a matter of fact, she has admitted that she helps people out because it makes her feel good. Although one can argue that she is doing it for selfish reasons, not many people were convinced.
It Was Nothing Special
She Made An Impact
We all have the ability to do good, although only a few people actually go and do these things. She had no idea how big of an impact she would leave behind. A multinational company even stepped in and made her an offer that was hard to refuse…
She Made An Impact
A One-Year Supply For Her Good Deeds
As their way to thank her for helping the musician without so much as a second thought, Mastercard offered her a one-year supply of prepaid cards! Whoever said philanthropic actions won’t do anything was wrong. Her family member contacted the company via Twitter to make sure they would know where to send the cards. When Keith Urban heard what the company offered her, he explained that he learned where she resided and that they “took care” of the elderly woman.
A One-Year Supply For Her Good Deeds
The Recognition She Deserved
Local news stations also heard of the incredible story. CBS even filmed the story and interviewed Ruth Reed herself about the encounter. It did not take long before everyone on television got wind of the story! The elderly schoolteacher agreed to do the interview on the condition that they would focus on the importance of acting out of kindness. Wawa also offered her free coffee! Aside from the one-off encounter with the celebrity, they wanted to thank her endless generosity over the years.
The Recognition She Deserved
More Praises For Her
After the incident, more people came to know Ruth Reed and admired her initiative to help people in need. People on social media platforms were not shy about praising her for it. A Facebook user who had been her student said, “Ruth was an amazing elementary school teacher in Medford for many years until she retired. Now she continues to give back to the schools by subbing and volunteering. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person!” Other people recalled how she regularly treated people to coffee from Wawa.
More Praises For Her
Inspiration Behind A Song
As a response to the story CBS did about the encounter, a singer-songwriter wrote a song to narrate the story. Although we had no idea what she was thinking on that fateful morning, we doubt Ruth Reed had any idea it would lead to becoming the inspiration behind an original song by another talented artist. What could be cooler than Keith Urban writing a song about how a retired schoolteacher helped him in his time of need? Oh well, this will do!
Inspiration Behind A Song
Keith Urban And Wawa Lovers
A Twitter user said that she only grew to love Keith Urban some more after finding out he was a frequent customer at Wawa. This is definitely a new but effective way to get in touch with your fanbase! Although he has since gone into the pop genre after his successful country music career, the new fanbase is limited to people who are passionate about Wawa! Maybe more artists should tap into this impressive group of people next time.
Keith Urban And Wawa Lovers
Heroic Teachers
A different Twitter user also pointed out that Ruth Reed was the ideal person to be a teacher. She never failed to take good care of people, regardless of their age or fame. Clearly, this was a sign that she has excelled in her chosen profession. Educators should serve as inspirational figures to each and every one of us. Even though there are wonderful teachers such as Ruth Reed and Hanna Hurley, it does not mean that teachers are immune to making occasional mistakes!
Heroic Teachers
Everyone Wanted To Speak To Her
After the story came out, just about every single news agency from all over the globe wanted the opportunity to speak to Ruth Reed. Radio stations were offering her the chance to appear on their show, although there was more. One radio show even requested her to come to the Land Down Under to make a guest appearance! Isn’t it amazing to hear that people from different corners of the world wanted to speak to her so much about the heartwarming anecdote?
Everyone Wanted To Speak To Her
Faith In Humanity Once More
To summarize the unusual but amazing incident, she later explained it this way: “This was out of the blue. Being at the right place at the right time and too stupid to recognize Keith Urban when you see him.”
Faith In Humanity Once More
The Kids Heard
She continued, “But we always tend to notice what people do wrong and we don’t notice the good.” She was certainly right about that final bit, which is exactly what made it such a touching story. It is important to prioritize the good news instead of the bad. Keith’s kids even got news of the story!
The Kids Heard
Pay It Forward
However, there is nothing that will beat the knowledge that she has inspired people to act kindly towards strangers. A Twitter user called Elena Z. Jinzo of San Francisco took to Twitter to report this: “I chose to pay for an elderly woman’s dinner at Safeway when they were telling her they couldn’t take her check without a current photo ID. It felt great to help. Ruth Reed, you’re my hero!” It is always a good idea to help people in need.
Pay It Forward
Wawa Is Wonderful
There are multiple reasons Wawa has such a solid fanbase. It was among the first convince stores to introduce the self-checkout lane, a feature that revolutionized retail. When you are at a Wawa location, you will have an easy time getting in and out as you wish. Aside from this, the food is definitely above average when compared to other convenience stores. They only have locations in certain areas, which is the reason many people miss the hoagie so much that they drive right into a Wawa as soon as they find themselves in town!
Wawa Is Wonderful