Thursday, July 17, 2008

Here's to you

I hope nobody misinterprets this post as arrogant or braggy, I was just so touched by this experience that I had to share. Yesterday I was running some errands in Draper and while doing so I saw a man crossing the street. He was pushing a bike that had one of those baby joggers attached to it. But the closer I got to him I could see that there weren't kids inside, there were pillows and blankets. And he wasn't just any man, he was homeless. This really struck me for some reason because he wasn't even riding the bike, he was pushing it, meaning he was probably so tired and hot from the day that he just couldn't bear to ride it anymore. Plus, he wasn't trying to solicit for money or food, he was just minding his own business. So I went into a store and promised myself that if I could still see him when I came out that I was going to buy him dinner. Well after about 15 minutes in the store I came out and he was sitting in the shade under a tree, so I went to Carl's Jr and picked him up a meal. The drive-thru took so long that I was afraid I was going to lose him, but I saw him walking a little farther down the street. So I pulled up next to him and said, "Sir, I know this isn't much but I just wanted to give this to you." and he looked at me and said "Like Hell it ain't, this means the world to me. Thank you, thank you so much." He grabbed the food, ran into the shade, and started chowing down. I pulled away and just cried and cried the rest of the way home. It made me think about how grateful I am in my life for all the things I have. A home (well kind of a home, but one that's being built) something to fill my belly every day, and the most important, a family. A family who loves and cares about me. I said a prayer in my head that if this man did not have a single possession in his life that he at least had somebody to love him. That he wouldn't have to die alone. I'm sure the prayer was in vane but hoped that it wasn't. Of course when I told Darin all he could really say was how dangerous it was, and how I shouldn't do that, but if it be by doing something kind for someone that I die, well I'll take it. This poor man probably hadn't eaten in days, and forgot what it felt like to have somebody care, even if it was for only one day or hour or five minutes. The only thing I wish I would have changed was what I gave him to eat. I should have got soup or something because the poor guy didn't have a single tooth left in his head. :) Here's to you, blue shirted homeless guy.

5 comments:

Cardwell said...

You are a good woman with a big heart! Thanks for sharing the story and reminding me what life's about. :)

Dartay said...

You're so nice! I bet that made his week!

JESSICA N COREY said...

Jess you are so cute, You have always been so sweet and caring, good for you. Were just the people who look at them and wish we could do something for them or wonder why they that way, but you actually do something about it.

Greg and Ky said...

Its amazing how the little things we have pass us by everyday. I love when things like that happen and we are more aware of our blessings. Thanks for sharing your story.

Amanda said...

Okay, I don't know you. I just linked off of Rindi's blog (she's my cousin). I read this & it gave me the chills, I STILL have goosebumps. Beautiful. It only takes one person doing one small thing to make a huge difference in someones life & in turn the world. THANK YOU