When I got to the end of the street I saw a homeless man. He was leaning on a post holding a sign that read "HOMELESS PLEASE HELP. GOD BLESS YOU." I immediately felt guilty. How could I be so ungrateful? Yes I have some problems, but I also have a roof over my head, food in my stomach and a warm bed at night. This man had none of that.
I didn't have any cash on me, but I knew I had to help him somehow. I know if that was me, I would want someone to care. I couldn't just drive past him, it felt wrong. I needed him to know that someone cared.
Lucky for me there was a SONIC Drive-in right around the corner. OH YEAH! I got this. I pull in and order him a #6 All American dog with tater tots and a Coke. Then I drive my emotional ass over to the Walgreens parking lot behind him. I walked over to him and I said, "Excuse me sir, I don't have any cash but I thought maybe you might be hungry, so I brought you this." He said "Thank you, God bless" and we went our separate ways. As I'm walking back to my car I look over and he's sitting by the bushes. I think about going over there and sitting with him, but that would be weird, so I get into my car and sit down and the moment I shut the door I start bawling my eyes out.
I felt so lonely at that moment and I thought if I felt lonely, maybe he felt lonely too. So I walked over to him and I asked him If I could join him, he smiled and said yes.
So I sat down next to him and we started talking. His name is Ted. He has lived in Florida for 20 years, he owes 84,000 in child support, so when he works they garnish his wages, he hasn't worked in years. I found out he has a girlfriend, shes homeless too, but she can't be in the sun because of her medication. Her name is Debbie. He is madly in love with her and he feels blessed to have her in his life. "As long as I have her, I'm OK" He says.
We talked about the weather, which is what people who don't know each other talk about, but this was different, this wasn't small talk it was his reality. Last night was brutal on them. He hold me they found an empty trailer to protect them from the wind, which was helpful, but the floor was freezing cold. For warmth they used cardboard boxes, it helped a little but they weren't able to sleep. I told him I might have something in my car I can give him. We talked a while more, he finished his hot dog, but he saved the tater tots for Debbie. It was time for us both to go, so I went to my car and found one of Gigi's blankets and brought it over to him. He was happy and he promised to tell Debbie I said "Hi." He had a kind smile. I noticed he was missing a few teeth. I realized I didn't feel so bad about my teeth anymore. He had given me a new perspective. He waved happily as I drove away and it felt so good.
Ted is a sweetheart, he taught me a valuable lesson today. If you feel like you could use a random act of kindness, do one instead, because that is so much more rewarding. And if you ever feel like life is unfair or too hard, remember there are others out there much less fortunate than you. Count your blessings not your sorrows.
I feel blessed to have met Ted and if I see him again, I'll be sure to do lunch with him. Hopefully Debbie can join us next time.
Peace & Love
Shelly XO
UPDATE: 3/27/14
This morning I packed Ted a duffel bag, with two sweaters, a blanket and some bottled water, in hopes that I might run into him soon. Well guess who I saw walking down the road on my way to work?! Ted! I was thrilled! He looked so stunned to see me. I gave him what I had and we talked for a few minutes. Last night they found a sleeping bag, that they shared to keep warm. So the cold wasn't as bad for them . Still the blanket and sweaters will help and the sleeping bag will add some cushion from the hard ground. I noticed he was in yesterdays shorts, its pretty cold out so I told him I'd be back after work with some sweat pants.
Ted is such an inspiration. Last night my friend Ilene and I were discussing how we could help him, and that led to another conversation. How can we help others who are homeless and hungry? What can we do as a community to help those who have nowhere to turn to? I want to start a blanket and food drive. These are the barest of the bare necessities. Warmth and nourishment. Things no one should have to go without. So that's exactly what we're going to do. I'll keep you all posted on that.
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