He hung his head low in shame.
Older in age and weathered by hard times he sat alongside the freeway off ramp with slumped shoulders. I saw him and my heart ached as I watched him sitting alone, not making eye contact as the cars drove slowly by.
“Turn your head and look the other way” I thought. Just as I’ve done so many times in the past. Ignoring those that ask for money, taking no notice of those that reach out for help.
I looked down at my own hands. I wondered how life can be so volatile – having one day and having without the next – life not protected by age – life experience not shielded by hard times.
This wasn’t an ordinary panhandler sitting on the side of the road. This was someone’s grandpa, someone’s dad, someone’s husband sitting on the side of the road, setting their pride aside and asking for help.
I reached into my bag. And I gave everything I had. These dollars make no difference to me. But all the difference to him.
And so I gave.
Photo Credit: C.M. Keiner on Flickr. Creative Editing applied.
You are the FUNNY mom. Stop making me cry!
Haha, right? Well. Life isn’t always funny.
I wrote this post on my phone in my car in the parking lot of Walmart right after it happened.
I appreciate this post more than I can express. A friend knows this story all too well… his father was a multi-millionaire on top of the world. Alcoholism…lost everything. Now lives on the street and I still see him panhandling from time to time. You just never know anyone’s story. Father, grandfather…indeed. – Heather, Life of a Traveling Navy Wife