A Thanksgiving Post- Giving & a Surprise "Get"
Today I was getting ready to feed my Prius before setting out on a morning full of errands. The gentleman at the opposite pump asked in a soft voice if I could help him.
I’d noticed him as I was exiting my car… he’d walked across from the other pumps.
“What can I help you with”
“Anything you can spare. My wife and I are living in our car until I can find 
work.”
OK… I know what you may be thinking. “Sucker!”
Don’t think that thought didn’t cross my mind. However, only for a nanosecond. Larry always says “They probably need it more than we do.”
I gave him a $5 bill that was the first thing I saw when I opened my wallet. He was very gracious and thanked me. And then I struck up a brief conversation with him… like what kind of work do you do….the housing market here (he was in construction)... best of luck to you… the same words you might exchange with any other stranger that you meet out.
It occurred to me that too often we hand over our donations to these entities we see only as “the homeless person” or “those less fortunate.”
However, there’s a real person there who is asking for help. Someone who may not have had a real conversation with anyone outside the parameter of their daily effort to stay alive, find work and find food.
On our daily walks at the beach, I’ve shown you photos of our beautiful sunrises and palm trees. What I haven’t photographed are some of the people we have seen who appear to be living out of their cars. During the week, they’re there before you have to begin to feed the meter. I don’t know their circumstances and I haven’t asked. Not because I don’t want to know or be bothered but I want to respect their privacy.
This season, or any time for that matter, when you’re giving please try to remember that you are giving to a person who may be someone’s father or son, a daughter or mother. Someone who, regardless of their motivations, is in need of help.
The surprise "get?" Later in the morning while I was still running my errands, I placed my phone in my pocket. When I reached in to retrieve it....there in the pocket was a crisp folded $5 bill!
( Larry said "next time give them a $100!)
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