I spent some money I didn't plan on spending today.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (38562)
July 14, 2024 6:25pm CST
CVS called yesterday evening and had two of my son's prescriptions ready. It was right before closing time, so I waited until today to go pick them up.
As usual, they were fairly busy. There was a very elderly man in front of me. Someone had let him out at the door, and he shuffled his way to the pharmacy counter. I noticed he was wearing a hospital ID bracelet, so he must have been discharged today. His hands shook.
He asked for his prescriptions and the pharmacist got them for him. They went over the dosage together to make sure he understood all the directions, etc. The pharmacist then said ''That will be $5.89'' and he stood there and turned sort of gray. He said, I guess I can't get it, because I only have .26! He had to be at least 90. Like I said, his hands shook. Hey, I don't have much, but he had to have that medicine, so I paid the $5.89. He absolutely insisted that I take his .26!
He gave me a big hug, that was payment enough. I hope if I am ever in the position of needing a small amount to get medicine and don't have the money, someone would help me.
I am blessed to have a family that has stepped up to help me if I needed it, and some wonderful friends. I try hard to pay it forward.
We never know what the future could hold for us, do we?
23 people like this
21 responses
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry I made you cry. He was just trying so hard to get it all right, listen to the instructions, and so on...and one look at him and anyone would have known he had to have his medications. I think sometimes these people are put in our paths to remind us that we all need to help each other sometimes. That might sound corny and strange, but...hey, like I said, we never know. I would hate to think that someone I love and care about didn't get to take their much needed medicines home with them.
Paying it forward, or sometimes helping someone in need, doesn't have to cost money every time. This time did, but I had that much with me and I decided that was how I was supposed to spend it today.
2 people like this
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
15 Jul
@MarieCoyle And you spent it in the best possible way.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
@marguicha
I was just glad I had it to pay what he needed! Thank you, Marga.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (107859)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Jul
Glad you were there at the right time.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107859)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Jul
@MarieCoyle I hope so also. Hugs are the best payment
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
@wolfgirl569
He was teary-eyed. Truly touched my heart.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
I just hope if any of mine or even myself ever need that type of help, that someone will step up. That hug he gave me was worth a thousand words.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (181955)
• United States
15 Jul
That was nice of you. I probably would have paid for him too. the poor old guy deserved it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
He was very frail and thin. Almost emaciated. Didn’t look well at all. I just couldn’t help myself. Such a small gesture, but so necessary.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55901)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Jul
@MarieCoyle We've known you long enough here to know you are a good person 
.
Yes, imagine how much better the world could be if we all helped and uplifted each other! It does seem like people have gotten away from that . . . there is too much negativity and selfishness these days.
.
Yes, imagine how much better the world could be if we all helped and uplifted each other! It does seem like people have gotten away from that . . . there is too much negativity and selfishness these days.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
Oh, dear...I am not trying to blow my own horn, so to speak. I am just a normal person, honestly. I just gave it some thought at it came to me that if we all did one thing...just one, to try to make someone's day a bit better, or someone's life better, it WOULD make a difference, and maybe help ward off some of the negativity we are experiencing in our country.
He was just pitiful. I went out to the car and cried, couldn't help it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
20 Jul
@much2say
Thank you so much for the sweet compliment, you made my evening better. 
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137553)
• India
16 Jul
@MarieCoyle There is more joy in giving than receiving.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
16 Jul
It was a very small gesture. I am hoping by posting about it, that others might do something small but significant for someone, in some way. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
16 Jul
@allknowing
The incident really hit home with me that no matter how much I struggle with caring for my son, and doing everyday life, there are a ton of people out there who are really hurting.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51458)
• Canada
16 Jul
@MarieCoyle Our coverage is paid through our employers.
Since I take a fair amount of medications, we will consider the cost factor to pay out of pocket after we look at what the cost will be the year before I retire versus the cost of purchasing our own medical insurance. We have already decided that we will pay out of pocket for eye glasses and dentistry, otherwise we do not intend on purchasing coverage for things that we may never use.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
16 Jul
I think they get so many people who can't pay, or maybe don't have the co-pay amount, they would go broke in no time, but I don't know if they do. We do use GoodRX, it helps a lot, too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
18 Jul
@Juliaacv
It all gets so complicated, and expensive! Lots to consider.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
Thank you, I just hope he will be OK for awhile. He was truly so frail.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (71519)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Jul
I am glad you were able to help the old man out. Life does throw us curvballs sometimes. I'm glad he was able to get his medicine, even if you had to help pay for it. Now that's money well spent.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (71519)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Jul
@MarieCoyle You're more than welcome.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
It just felt like I was supposed to be there when he was, and put in that position for a reason. I think it was money well spent, too. Thank you, Kayla.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
16 Jul
@MarieCoyle God put you in the right place at the right time.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
Heck, I had tears while I was there! I am just glad that I was, not that I am a savior by any means, just that he didn't have to walk away without the medicine he needed.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
15 Jul
God bless you, Marie. Have a good week.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
20 Jul
I would hope most people would do the same thing. Makes you wonder how this could happen. He must have had some kind of health insurance for a co-pay of that amount. Very strange. Your being able to help and give provided a happy and satisfying moment for you both!
Seems at times the elderly are often forgotten about and treated as expendable in our society.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
21 Jul
Yes, they are often forgotten. And many, many do not ask for help--they just do without. I was just glad I had it to pay it for him, and I hope if any of mine are ever in a similar situation, they would be helped. Such a small gesture, but to him, it meant everything, and it was very important to him to have his medications. Thank you so much.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92420)
• United States
15 Jul
I am a cheap guy, often cynical, but in this instance, I probably would have done the same. I am not typically one for warm fuzzy feelings. At the same time, I have a different perspective on people who really are genuine, and this guy seems like he fit that description.
1 person likes this
@porwest (92420)
• United States
17 Jul
@MarieCoyle It will come back to you. This deed. It will come back to you. I am sure of it. Not that that was your purpose for doing it. But it's what happens.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
He didn't ask for help, just seemed resigned that he didn't have the money to pay for the small balance. I know what you mean about genuine, but I also know he was truly genuine...I don't think the old fellow could have faked anything. I value money, and I am currently helping my younger son as he has been so ill. So I don't have a lot to spare, by any means. But I sure do hope that if one of mine was in need like that, ever in their lifetime, someone would step up. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
18 Jul
@porwest
Yes, it no doubt will. I am just glad I was there, it was so obvious the old fellow needed his medications. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Hanbinandaeyo (3301)
•
15 Jul
God bless your good heart..
What you give will be back 3x..
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
Well, maybe. I didn’t honestly think of getting anything back, I just couldn’t not help the poor fellow out. It was pitiful to see him. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@Hanbinandaeyo (3301)
•
15 Jul
@MarieCoyle Yes yes.. I can feel you.. I've been there, but I cannot do anything to help. may it be financially or in anything. I am somehow working just for a living
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
@Hanbinandaeyo
I completely understand, I have nothing extra myself. It can be very difficult...it was just a spur of the moment thing, not planned out...but I didn't want the poor fellow to do without his medicine.
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
20 Jul
@grenery8
Sometimes, it seems like you can look at someone and just know they are not long for this earth. He was very thin, his hands shook badly, his face was pretty gray. He was very, very tired. It was sad enough to look at him but then to realize he was going to have to leave without his medication...no, not on my watch.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
18 Jul
I really do think his days are numbered, he did not look well at all. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (11049)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
19 Jul
@MarieCoyle i hope it's not the case but you saw it better. thank you.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160883)
• United States
15 Jul
It makes me wonder who should be taking care of him. You did well, and we should all look out for one another.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
He said his daughter dropped him off at the door as she had to stay in the car with her sleeping baby. He should have had someone with him in CVS. I did walk him out to the car.
Yes, it would be nice to just get back to basics, to try to unite us together as a caring place/state/country.
@popciclecold (39461)
• United States
15 Jul
That was wonderful. I'm sure he appreciates you. You are so right we never know if it will happen to us. Wonderful job.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
15 Jul
Honestly, the reason I posted about what happened was to try to talk about how much that small gesture meant to someone, because sometimes a person might need a tiny boost. Maybe if we all worked at giving each other those little boosts in life, our world will be a little bit better. Nothing else seems to be working, we all need to pull together somehow.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80635)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
15 Jul
Now you brought tears to my eyes, That is wonderful and your definitely blessed for doing this,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
18 Jul
It just seemed like the right thing to do. Thanks so much.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (2448)
• India
22 Jul
Marie, you made my day! You are such wonderful soul . Helping people or animals in distress is the greatest gift we can do as human . I am touched very touched by this incident. I am sure, many mylotters would lead by this example if they have not done earlier. Thank you for being the kind hearted person, of who you are!
@MarieCoyle (38562)
•
24 Jul
I am sure there are many others who would have done the same thing, if they had seen this poor fellow. Like I said, he couldn't be long for this world...I hope if one of mine is ever in such need, someone can help them. Thank you.
1 person likes this
