Today we walked past a cold man sitting with his duffel on a park bench near the coffee shop we were visiting. I saw him wiping tears from his eyes with a rather old looking napkin (I'm sure the age of the napkin is irrelevant, but it made an impression on this excessive hand washer anyway). I got what I needed and then sat in my car thinking about him and wondering what he was doing there; alone, cold, the day after Christmas, crying. I must have sat in my car for 10 minutes trying to decide if I should do something for him, and what. I've had these 'ideas' in the past, and easily ignored them, never sure if I would be safe to offer help or hissed at for my attempt at kindness. I will admit, I have a general distain for 'pan handling' and other manner of begging. However, this man expected nothing of me, even embarrassed to be seen crying by me. Today I got out of my car. I went back in the coffee shop and then walked over to offer him a large coffee and muffin. His gratitude humbled me to tears. It shook me, and for a while. I don't cry often, but when I do I'm hard to stop. An endearing quality? No, definitely not. Anyway, I am certain I have never made another person so happy with 5 minutes and 5 dollars. I am changed and will hesitate no more.
6 comments:
I love you. I did seething similar recently. Amazing how small things make big differences. Xo
Something. Not seething.
What a wonderful person you are. Thank you for doing that, and thank you for sharing. xo
I like that you gave him hot coffee as opposed to the usual spare change; so much more dignified. Xx
One more. Once on my way home from Starbucks in London, I carried an egg sandwich in a bag. Walking past a guy sitting in the street with a sign saying "hungry and homeless" I obviously felt compelled to give him my sandwich. I offered it and he took a quick peek in the bag then said: "Uhm, I don't really care for eggs Miss... Got any tuna?"
:)
Love you.
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