Stories of Kindness from Around the World

It was pouring rain, no, not pouring, but hailing without the ice. I was starving and decided to pull over to a McDonald's. Very interesting site! When I went to order, I saw a young man, about 20, dirty, wet, and disheveled. He had a loosely wrapped dirty bandage around his right hand; I noticed this because I am a nurse. He was talking to the glass door, as the wind and rain gusted and blew.

Before my order came up, he had walked outside, clutching an empty transparent plastic bag, and sat on the ground. I knew that it was freezing out there, even if it was California. I kept looking at him, then I noticed a wet $20 bill next to the double glass doors. At that time, two more men approached me; one clearly had alcohol on his breath, but he kept asking me: do you think he needs a sleeping bag? I only got one, but I'll give it to him.

I walked outside....Sir, Sir....he was, again, speaking to things or persons that you and I could not visualize, that is, not part of OUR reality. I kept asking him, is this your $20??? He was confused, then he jumped up, still clutching his empty plastic bag... I led him to the counter, telling him that I wanted him to eat.

The other patients shied away from him, making a wide space around him. Well, yes, he did stink, yes, his zipper was wide open, yes, his filthy jeans were slipping down his skinny legs. I guided him to the counter to order. Several workers said: we don't want to give him anything. But he has money now, I told them. Somehow the young man ordered, then seemed extremely confused as to what to do.

Oh, no, now he was talking to the soda machine! I guided him to a seat, grabbed his food, filled his soda, and brought him lots of ketchup. Again, all other tables around him vacated their seats and looked at me oddly. What's your name? I asked. I saw just a flicker of clarity, then it was gone. He was now talking to his fries, laying them out neatly. I opened his sandwiches, and set his meal up.

People were still looking at me oddly, kinda like: don't you know he's just a bum and crazy? But, you know what? I looked into this young man's eyes, and I remembered ....my son's voice: "do you think it's Jesus, Mommy?" Then I thought about this young man's family; if it was my son, I would be so grateful for someone taking care of him. He is someone's child.....he may be Jesus, who knows...I only know that this young man needed a hug (however yucky he smelled!) and a bit of taking care of.

Even though 95% of our encounter included him talking to doors, soda machines, the rain, before I left he took about 2 seconds to look in my eyes. I wish I had a better end to this story, but, at that point, it was all I could do, as I had to get back to work. I entrusted him to the two other homeless men that approached me with stern instructions: DO NOT take his money; make sure he eats. You are still in my memory, my prayers, and my wishes. I wish I could have done more.