What is the most valuable thing in your life? Yesterday, a friend and I walked to the store on break and we were approached by a homeless man that we have seen before. It is not uncommon to be approached in the area by the homeless asking for money. For safety reasons I have learned to either politely tell them I do not have any money on me or just keep moving. As the man approached he said Excuse me gentleman. I acted as if I had not heard the mans feeble voice and I kept walking as my friend stopped. I turned around and the man began telling the story of how he became homeless using all his resources to find his daughter that had been kidnapped. He smiled and said I know that is just how it is. As he was talking I could not help but think any moment he is going to finish his story with a plea for money. As he spoke I began thinking about how hot it was outside, and how I needed to rush back from break in order to finish all the work that I have accumulated. Then the man started telling us how he lived in the alley behind the dumpsters and about the kindness shown to him from the local businesses behind which he lives. Cautiously, I kept my distance from the man, and began looking around thinking at any moment something was going to happen. As I looked around I saw some more homeless people across the street. As I looked back at the man he said I promise I will make this quick and wont take much of your time. He then moved on to tell us how he has met several really nice looking women that have hugged him. He smiled and said I know I am ugly, and I am old, but they still hugged me. He continued telling us about a specific woman that was with another older man at a bus stop. The woman walked up and gave the homeless man a hug. The older gentleman that was with the woman told the homeless man the woman was his daughter and she gave him a hug because that is just how life is. Holding back tears the man looked into my eyes and said I know I wont be long…one last thing and told us about how it is not uncommon to be questioned by the police. He said I have been questioned 27 times during the 7 months I have been homeless. I have a target on me...I understand that is just how it is. As I listened I could not help but notice his once white shirt that has yellowed, the dirt filling the crevices of his arms, and his tangled uncombed hair. He said that he was stopped by two police officers that were both retired Marines. The man said he told the police officers he also served his country. The officers asked which branch he was in. With a gleam of happiness in his eye, smile on his face, he lifted his hand, bent his wrist, and said I was in the sissy branch. As he spoke those words my walls came down and I laughed and smiled at him. The man said I just wanted to share that with yall…God Bless, and he walked away. As he walked into the distance I realized all he wanted was human interaction. Someone to listen to his story. Someone to look beyond the surface. Someone to treat him as valuable as every other human. He just needed someone to show a little compassion and care. For some, the human element is the most valuable thing in the world. I have been humbled by this experience. I will approach each of lifes moments with compassion and kindness.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 11:42:59 +0000
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