Are You the Man?
Every morning I see this man on my way to work. He carries his entire wardrobe with him at all times; sometimes in an old baby carriage. He looks to be about 50, looking as though he has already lived 100 years of life, but I am guessing he is only 35. I can tell he had a normal life at one time, a good one at that. He has seen too much, felt too much. As of late, he hasn’t seen the right stuff – an act of kindness, a friendly handshake, a daily shower, the laughter of a child. No one looks up to him. I imagine he hasn’t heard music in a very long time, or seen a movie. He has no idea of the current news or world events. He has been on no vacation or holiday as of late. He is tall and thin, weathered skin. He isn’t sad, he is not happy – he feels neither, unable to feel most things. He talks to himself. He mumbles. Is that his version of singing? He can sleep standing up. Is he a bum? Is he an alcoholic? Is he a drug addict? A combination thereof? Is he simply a man whose life has gotten the better of him? Did he give up? Did he struggle and cave? Where is his family? Where are his friends? Is he hurt? Is he hurting inside?
I have seen this man most weekday mornings for at least 4 years. I have seen his decline, his deterioration. I have never seen him smile. His eyes are heavy. His hands and hair look dirty. Most mornings he is standing or sitting on a step outside a bar with apartments above next to the McDonalds where I get my morning coffee. Today I bought him breakfast – the biggest breakfast they have, with orange juice, milk, and coffee. I startled and scared him when I stopped my car. His eyes and mine had met many times before; I know he is familiar with me. When I handed him the bag and tray with food and drink, I saw no emotion in his face at all – a completely blank look, devoid of any feeling whatsoever. I wasn’t looking for a thank you or any appreciation at all. It saddened me. I handed him a 20 dollar bill from my pocket, felt his dry, cracked fingers as he took it.
I know nothing of whom or what he really is. I have no idea what the answers to any of my questions would be. All I know is that he is homeless. Well, I presume he is. This was something I needed to do, felt almost driven to do, driven by what I have no idea. I, too, felt empty inside. I hope, I prayed that I in some small way I made him feel better today. There was no joy or happiness from this act for me. I could not get past the reality of the shell of a man who is alive who cannot live…
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oh helen how lovely of you to do this hun..it brought a lump to my throat readin this..i am sure you made him so happy by your act of kindness. thank the lord for people like you in this world 🙂 🙂
Thank you Pollie. I hope it did for him. It is such a shame the world if full of people like him. What does that say about us humans? I know some people choose a life like this, but I also know many dont. Thank you again Pollie.
I have seen that look you talk of. I nearly had it myself at one time, but I was lucky. I had strong friends and family who wouldn’t let me go.
Did you do right? Of course you did! A few more like that might just bring him back.
Well done, lady
waylander, Strong friends and family is the difference between most of us and the homeless or less fortunate.
Sometimes Helen, we are moved as though being guided and on impulse we act in a certain way.
Last year as the summer turned to winter, it was the first morning of snow, and bitter cold but still took my dog for her usual walk.
As I passed some bush, there was a person, wrapped in something resembling a sleeping bag. trying to keep warm. I went back home, made a jug of hot coffee and some hot porridge. I returned asking, “Are you awake?”. No reply. I suppose it was common for him to be asked to ‘move on’. “Would you like some coffee?”. The bundle began to move, and he took the coffee and porridge.
He explained he was too late to get in the shelter the night before. I advised he get there ealier tonight, as it will be snowing again. He said he would.
Like you Helen, I didnt want a ‘thank you’. I was just happy that a simple gesture from me, may have meant the world to him. 🙂
Thanks Helen
Some of these people are mentally ill, you can not reason with them or make them understand your gesture, but you did a beautiful thing, we need more compassionate people in the world. And on behalf of those people I thank you.
Beautifully written, full of visual compassion, if more of us felt so compelled, maybe we would have a more caring world.
Helensophie, a good blog. You tell a story that we can all understand. You did a wonderful thing
The man got a meal and what your kindness meant to him is unknown, but you know how you felt and maybe that was maybe feeding a man’s body and wondering if his spirit had been lost for some time, and can or will it ever return. Kind of shocking, I would think.
True benevolence seeks no reward. It is best given anonymously. In this case, however, that was not possible. Your compassion and empathy may not have been acknowledged by the recipient but it has been noted by your Judge. This world is in short supply of good Samaritans, but you are counted among them. On his behalf I thank you. And I thank you for reminding us that our compassion and benevolence are desperately needed in today’s society. Bless you. xxxxx
Hi helensophie
i’m compelled just to say bless you it hit the spot xxxxxxxxxx
thank you jesse xx
Helen, this was a really ‘good’ thing for you to do. At times, we don’t think about our actions, something just seems to be guiding us and if we’re strong enough, we take heed of that compulsion to do something- to offer a hand in friendship.
Who knows?….maybe that kind action will somehow reach the man, making him realise that there are kindly people in the world and giving him some hope for a future.
yes Helen it was a lovely thing for you to do , I would have done exactly the same , yes there are some very kind people in this world still , but there are also some very unkind people , peggy xx
I was touched by this blog. It mad me very sad but touched my heart. I like the way you expressed care and concern by asking so many questions regarding who the man really is, inside….what was he before, who is he now?
I believe that when any of us are led to show compassion, in any way, we should just do it. We need not worry about what the response is….appreciation or maybe none at all. But when we heed the still small voice inside, or the urgent prompting, we will not have to always wonder about or regret a missed opportunity. Most of us have been on both sides…we have received and given kindness. What a huge blessing either way!
when l was working on location in the evening, like a night shot, we used to have coffee sandwiches,soup. on all the time till we had finished, what was left allways so much, in stead of throwing it away we gave to the down and outs, that were around., following morning after a late shot our designer ask to see us, we was told in future every thing left was to be thrown away, but why we ask,he said he was told that if any down and outs had stomach trouble, they could blame it on the sandwiches or soup or what ever, yes we throw it away, such a watse
helen
the world could do with a great many more folks like you in it! xxxxxxxx