Yesterday, I was approached by a homeless man in a Safeway parking lot. He asked me indirectly for some help and offered a short story about his plight (much of it inaudible) about being stranded without a car, and he needed to get on a bus… A part of me wanted to say “no” and refuse to offer anything. With all of the meme’s on social media nowadays, about the “freeloaders” and how “hard” everyone does or does not work for their money, the initial response of many people is to turn away and ignore such a request. After all, I go to work every day and work hard to make a comfortable living for myself and my family. But at the same time, what if the tables were turned – what if that was me asking for help from a complete stranger, without any options, with the world apparently turned against me? Then I realize that this person standing in front of me “begging” for just a little bit of help to get by until the next day, or even just the next few hours… is just that, a person: a living, breathing person with a heart, soul and mind. Who am I to judge so quickly and brush him off like he’s nobody? He’s a son to someone, possibly a father, brother, uncle, husband… This person was obviously in need of help. I asked him simply if he needed some money, and he nodded. I then opened up my wallet and offered a $10.00 bill; I just took it as “cash back” from my grocery purchase. Many times I’ve offered a bit of cash to a homeless stranger, some of whom I see repeatedly on the exit ramp from the freeway, and I keep some small bills in the compartment of my car for just such occasions. Without fail, every time, I get a “thank you”, or a “god bless you” or most of the time both – they always respect me and gratefully accept the gift, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to me or someone else. But this time was different, and it’s affected me more than others. This man took the $10 bill and held it squarely in his two hands, and he stood there for a few moments, staring at it in disbelief. He took a gasp of air, and started to cry. I stood there in a light drizzle of rain and watched him, and his voice cracked a weak “thank you.” A quick “you’re welcome” and I got into my car and left to go home to be with my family. I know we all have our struggles, whether it’s money, relationships, education, family problems – who knows, we all have our issues of the day. But in the end, just remember to give thanks for those around you, the comfort of your home, the blessings of a hot meal on the table. Remember it could always be worse, and for many it is. And sometimes, if you’re able, volunteer, give, love. Help those that can’t help themselves – it’s more rewarding than you’ll ever know.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Aug 2014 18:02:18 +0000
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