Living on the Street

--by strider, posted Jan 16, 2007

I was headed to the UMW womens basketball game yesterday, and I saw an older man, maybe 65, sitting next to a stop sign on William Street at the intersection of Route One and William Street. He was sitting down wearing tattered clothes, and an oversized jacket. A homeless man holding a sign that said:

"Hold care in your hearts
Thanks very much
And God Bless!"

I parked my car in the Goolrick Gymnasium parking lot and walked up to the old man and asked "How are you doing?" He looked at me suprised, like I was going to injure him, kind of caught up in words he just said "I am fine, just making a living." Embarrassed, he said "I live on the streets."

The one thing that suprised me was that he never asked me for anything, no money or food, seeing that he was homeless was given he even told me so. Even his sign didn't ask for money or food, it simply stated "Hold care in your hearts." This reminded me of many monks who had given up all their possesions and owned nothing but a begging bowl and maybe a piece of cloth for clothing.

I reached out and asked him if it was okay If I could give him some money? He looked up and reluctantly said "Well... yeah umm well anything helps ya know." I gave him a folded 50 dollar bill covered in ones so he couldn't see it yet. He thanked me very kindly and said "God bless you sir." I asked him if he wanted to come in and watch the basketball game, "I go here to UMW and our women's team is pretty good, you should come in and watch the game if you have time Michael."

I walked back into Goolrick, but looking back I saw him get up, with his torn backpack and start walking towards the gym :)

Giving can go a long way, like a ripple in an ocean, one act may be so small, but if you drop a pebble in the ocean it will make hundreds of ripples spreading outward and soothing others. I urge you to cause a ripple of kindness spanning time and hearts.

Have a great day! :)

~Strider

4447 Reads

Posted by strider
Jan 16, 2007
Comments (10)

Readers Comments

bookworm58 wrote: Thanks for helping those in need. I help those in need myself from time to time. Its a warm feeling to help someone else.

Monique wrote: THis touched my heart deeply, you are this mans angel and you aced your assignment!!!!

George Payatikat wrote: "Hold care in your hearts."
The homeless man must have seen the care (love)you "held hidden in your heart" rather than the 50 dollar bill, that made the smile on his face, as he walked towards the gym. Giving from what is in the heart is more precious than from what is in your pocket. Congrats

speedi wrote: wonderful story,,my son and nephew are trying hard to help the homeless if even for a minute I am so proud of them

Sheila wrote: My sister worked with the homeless in NYC and still works with them now that she's in Boston. The author of this story does much like she does - treats them with respect, love and dignity.

wonderlink wrote: Very touching story. Thank you for honoring those who have little in goods with such a soft, beautiful light.

Ginny wrote: What very heart welmeing story, it makes what to out and talk to some homeless people and help them a little.

caroline wrote: May God bless you friend, and let him offer you more than what you offered! Caroline(Tanzania).

reshma Kurup wrote: Dear Friend,

Your sharing reminded of a beautiful story..One young kid was walking with his father on the beach.....His father was walking ahead and turned back to look at his son way behind.And this is what he saw..His son was picking up sea shells from the sand which was coming along with every wave in the ocean and being left behind on the sea shore..
The kid kept doing it...He would walk a few steps and bend,pick up the shell and throw it back at the sea..

His father was amused and walked towards his son. He said to the boy," Son,what are you doing? These shells are coming along with waves..There are thousands in number here lying on the sea shore..Why are you wasting your time? How does it make a difference?

The kid took a shell in his hand, turned to his father and said," IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO THIS ONE SHELL."

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Keep sharing the love and compassion around...

Hugs to you
Reshma
bangalore,india

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