I had an assignment for a class where I had to pretend to be homeless not long ago. I will have to be honest at first I was scared to death to stand in a line at a soup kitchen. So much so I brought a guy friend with me. While I was there there was a homeless man who did his best to make me feel welcomed. Not sure if he felt my trepidation but he kept trying to make me smile. He called me an orchid among roses and encouraged me that where I was at was temporary. He had no idea. I walked away crying because of how kind he was in spite of his circumstances. HE WAS A HOMELESS VET. Then I had to ask about shelter for the night. A woman who had been on the streets with her two babies for a few months told me where I would find it and what I needed to do to get into it and as I walked away she yelled out to me its going to get better dont you give up and then of course I cried even more. SHE WAS A MOTHER. I am sure she thought it was because of my pretend circumstance but it was because I had never been shown such grace and compassion from people who seemed to have so little. I was beyond humbled. Afterwards I went to Sams Club and just watched people. No one looked at each other and everyone looked so empty. I remember thinking you seem to have everything materially in this world compared to the people I had just dealt with but the people who many would shun and judge gave the only thing they seemed to have. They did not give me anything material but they gave me what they could. A piece of their heart, a little compassion and understanding that the greatest lessons you learn in life may come from those who have no idea that they are a teacher ...
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:21:34 +0000
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