My family had "earned" catering for 20 from Chipotle and it was going to expire at the end of this month. We had been planning a day of feeding those less fortunate with our good fortune and that day finally came. My daughter and I put together 21 dishes of rice, beans, sofritas or chicken, fajita mix, and salsas.
When my wife returned from her violin lessons, they were all ready and so we headed to People's Park in Berkeley. Every time we've driven by there we've seen many homeless beings and knew the meals wouldn't last long. However, once we arrived, there were very few around. Turns out, there was something going on (I think it was a psychic fair, or something like that), along with a farmer's market. After about an hour and asking 23 individuals if they'd be interested in a meal, we were done.
But there are two people that I will not forget. First, is Shawn. He was the second person that we offered a meal to and he gladly accepted it. But he wouldn't just take it. Shawn told me to wait, he had something for me. He returned with a few beads he called "gems". Shawn was so excited to offer me this gift, which he may have seen as a payment for the meal, I just saw it as a gift. He said, "now these are real gems, not some acrylic thing, these are real gems!"
In the end it doesn't matter if they were real or not, their monetary value is not in question. To Shawn, he was offering me his real gems and that's what I received. As I we were on our way to deliver more meals he yelled out to me to wait; he ran up to me and gifted me a few more "gems!"
As we were walking down Shattuck avenue we came upon Hari. He was sitting off the sidewalk and we asked him if he'd like a meal. His told us he was a vegetarian, to which we were able to respond, you're in luck...we have a vegetarian meal. He was very grateful.
Here are two beings with very few possessions and living day to day, relying on others to stay nourished. With so little, Shawn offers me a gift from his prized collection of gems. And Hari, rather than taking any food, he holds to his values and conviction of refraining from eating meat. I was blessed to meet both Shawn and Hari, as my life continues to teach me selflessness, values, and gratitude.
When my wife returned from her violin lessons, they were all ready and so we headed to People's Park in Berkeley. Every time we've driven by there we've seen many homeless beings and knew the meals wouldn't last long. However, once we arrived, there were very few around. Turns out, there was something going on (I think it was a psychic fair, or something like that), along with a farmer's market. After about an hour and asking 23 individuals if they'd be interested in a meal, we were done.But there are two people that I will not forget. First, is Shawn. He was the second person that we offered a meal to and he gladly accepted it. But he wouldn't just take it. Shawn told me to wait, he had something for me. He returned with a few beads he called "gems". Shawn was so excited to offer me this gift, which he may have seen as a payment for the meal, I just saw it as a gift. He said, "now these are real gems, not some acrylic thing, these are real gems!"
In the end it doesn't matter if they were real or not, their monetary value is not in question. To Shawn, he was offering me his real gems and that's what I received. As I we were on our way to deliver more meals he yelled out to me to wait; he ran up to me and gifted me a few more "gems!"
As we were walking down Shattuck avenue we came upon Hari. He was sitting off the sidewalk and we asked him if he'd like a meal. His told us he was a vegetarian, to which we were able to respond, you're in luck...we have a vegetarian meal. He was very grateful.
Here are two beings with very few possessions and living day to day, relying on others to stay nourished. With so little, Shawn offers me a gift from his prized collection of gems. And Hari, rather than taking any food, he holds to his values and conviction of refraining from eating meat. I was blessed to meet both Shawn and Hari, as my life continues to teach me selflessness, values, and gratitude.
1064 Reads
- Posted by cyctw
- Mar 28, 2017
- Comments (8)
Readers Comments
Chandru wrote: What an amazing experience. In hindi, hari means god.
splain wrote: That was a special happening. Gems and beliefs
mindyjourney wrote: We learn so much when we give with an open â¤ï¸ heart! many tx to you and your family for feeding those in need and for receiving as well :)))
Mish wrote: Truly beautiful sharing between you â¤ï¸
autumnsky38 wrote: Oh wow. My heart is just full after reading this. You are beautiful and so are those dear men that you fed. God bless you all and thanks for the reminder of just how much I have in my own life right now. :)
shellspire wrote: isn't it precious when we touch each others lives and leave a lasting impression on.
Lilijourney wrote: Truly a blessed offering ðŸ™ðŸ¤—
leoladyc728 wrote: what an amazing experience you had today.
