Will Paint For Dignity

--by ecoenergygirl, posted Aug 8, 2011

On a Sunday afternoon I was waiting for a music venue to open so I could slip in with my musician friends and set up to paint during the show.

They were running late so I sprawled on the grass next to the parking lot and pulled out a 4 inch by 4 inch canvas and a few tubes of paint. Some music was playing from a car parked nearby.

I certainly wasn't working on a masterpiece but I was absorbed into the work. I noticed a shadow on the grass by me, and looked up into a man's face.

He was a little unsteady on his feet and smelled lightly of alcohol. Not a surprise in the neighborhood. He watched me paint and I looked up and smiled a few times.

"I used to be an artist," he said. I sat up, pulled a 16 x 20 inch canvas from my bag with some extra brushes and said, " I bet you still are."

He looked at me, perhaps looking for mockery, then dropped his bag next to us. He sat down and started to sketch out some mountains and an eagle feather. As he did so he started telling me about his life. It was a tale of hopes dashed, dreams denied and shame keeping him from returning home. He also filled me in on the domestic follies of a couple having a loud discussion across the street.

When he was finished he handed me the painting claiming he had no way to keep it. After that, we hugged and I gave him a sandwich from my bag and wished him well. I also handed him the little painting that I had completed.

As he walked away, I noticed his back was straighter and head higher.

He turned, winked, and said, "I feel like a man again."

1725 Reads

Posted by ecoenergygirl
Aug 8, 2011
Comments (6)

Readers Comments

Woodrose wrote: A beautiful story
Big hugs to you for your kindness xxx :)

moral12 wrote: How very kind of you to share your canvas with him, and, even nicer, to gift him with one of your paintings! Everyone needs to flex their creative muscles once in a while and you helped him flex his. Many, many kudos and good wishes to you!

annjav wrote: So many of these stories begin with taking the time to recognize the person even before the kind deed is done. A good example here, and good for you seeing the man, and listening to his story.

unknown wrote: Thank you for being graceful to team with this wonderful soul ... He could draw, eat and share with you ... What else do we want but to be shared unconditionally ... You rock ecoenergygirl ... God bless you immensely ... Deeper (-: :-) ...

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: Bless you for your kindness. So many would have either ignored him or treated him harshly. I would bet your kindness too him is something that will make him smile often! :)

Bluebell wrote: Thank you for awakening the dignity of that beautiful soul. Maybe that will shift his reality and now that he can walk straight, head high and feel like a man ( that he always was ) a miracle can take place. Thank you for your loving kindness. Love and Light and a Thousand Smiles, Bluebell

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