I've always believed that true charity is anonymous. But I had to share this story. Hopefully my story will serve as a gentle reminder.
On my way to work I see same the homeless person at Laurel and Sunset. Day in and day out. He stands on the northwest corner at the bus stop, dressed in dirty jeans, holey sneakers and a faded blue t-shirt. He looks about 50 but I think he's younger. Seeing him makes me incredibly sad. And yes, ashamed. Everyday I wonder what his story is. How? What? Why? And every time that I catch the red light, just a few feet from him, I look left. I look up. I look down. I fiddle with the radio, heater, air conditioner. Anywhere but at him.
He stands there with a sign that says "Please help. God bless."
I've always been concerned for people less fortunate then me. I credit my parents for that. I was also a kid was was bullied everyday in school. I may not know what its like to go without shelter and food but I do know what its like to be different.
As summer turned into "winter" (thats how it works here in LA … Summer followed by less Summer) it was getting cooler, especially in the morning and after the sun went down. One morning as I was stopped at the stoplight I noticed he was wearing a t-shirt and a ratty light jacket. That night when I got home
I looked through my closet to find a jacket for him. Needless to say I found a few (some still with tags on …ouch).
The next morning as I approached his corner I pulled over to a near-by parking lot. As I walked along busy Sunset Blvd carrying the jackets, cars rushing by me, people walking past me on their way to work he must of seen me with the jackets because as I approached him he started to smile. Not a smile you get when you see dogs playing. Not a smile you see as you sit down with friends for dinner. But more of a smile of relief. A smile that says "I'll be warm tonight."
He was incredibly appreciative. I told him I hoped the jackets helped at night. He smiled. I wanted to ask him so many questions. Maybe out of curiosity. What happened? Don't you have family? Maybe out of fear. How do I avoid this fate?
I just turned and walked back to my car and drove off. Thankful for my clothes. Thankful for my friends and family. Thankful for life.
As I drove I started to tear. I vowed to be thankful for at least the rest of the day. I was ... until I forgot about the man on the corner. The man who I never even bothered to ask for his name.
We need reminders of how lucky we are.
The next morning as I approached his corner I pulled over to a near-by parking lot. As I walked along busy Sunset Blvd carrying the jackets, cars rushing by me, people walking past me on their way to work he must of seen me with the jackets because as I approached him he started to smile. Not a smile you get when you see dogs playing. Not a smile you see as you sit down with friends for dinner. But more of a smile of relief. A smile that says "I'll be warm tonight."
He was incredibly appreciative. I told him I hoped the jackets helped at night. He smiled. I wanted to ask him so many questions. Maybe out of curiosity. What happened? Don't you have family? Maybe out of fear. How do I avoid this fate?
I just turned and walked back to my car and drove off. Thankful for my clothes. Thankful for my friends and family. Thankful for life.
As I drove I started to tear. I vowed to be thankful for at least the rest of the day. I was ... until I forgot about the man on the corner. The man who I never even bothered to ask for his name.
We need reminders of how lucky we are.
