The Story Of How A Homeless Man Touched My Heart Today

I never give money to the homeless people who stand, with signs, on the freeway off ramps.  I have seen too many news stories about regular people who do this, making more money in one day than my hard working husband makes in an entire week.  I can not tell the difference between the men who really are homeless and the "pretenders", so I just keep my money.

When we moved into this house almost a year ago, I noticed a man who walked by our neighborhood several times a day, most of the time pushing a bike.  (I have no idea why he doesn't ride it)  I would also notice him several miles away, pushing his bike through the town where my kids go to school.  There is no telling how many miles this man walks everyday, rain or shine.  I notice him every day while waiting for Brandi's bus in the afternoon.

Today it was time to deliver the gifts I had bought for close friends.  I don't do adult gifts, but I always bring along a tub or tin of cookies for everyone to share.  I had a couple of cookie tubs in the car today when we got stuck in traffic.  Up ahead, I could see the homeless guy waiting patiently to cross the street at a red light.  I don't know what came over me, but I turned to Junior and told him that I wanted to give the guy a tub of cookies.  Of course, Junior agreed with me, and as soon as we got through the light, we pulled into the nearest parking lot, and I got out of the van to talk to the homeless guy.

I told him that I see him walk past my house every day, and I wanted to give him some cookies.  He looked at me kind of funny at first, so I told him that I had made them, and I really wanted him to have them.  He took them, but really wouldn't make eye contact with me.  I told him that I wanted him to have a Merry Christmas, and he finally looked at me, and very quietly said Thank You.  And smiled a little.  I could see the joy in his eyes as he opened the tub and saw all the goodies inside.

As I walked away, I once again wished him a Merry Christmas.  When I got back into the van, I was happy...happy that I made his day just a little bit brighter.  We went to the grocery store in that parking lot, and the kids watched as he stood there, on the side of a busy highway, and ate his cookies.  I doubt he ate them all...there was a lot in there...which makes me even happier, knowing he has food for later.  If I had planned this, I would have given him a soda or something, too, but by the time we came out of the grocery store, he was gone.

Brandi asked me why I gave him cookies, and I told her that some people, like him, may not get a meal on Christmas, let alone a treat.  I explained that while we may not have a lot, we have more than some people, and that it's nice to share when we can.  She said we should have bought him a sub at Subway!   I told her that maybe next time, we would.

I can not even put into words how full my heart is right now.  I am so glad that we made a difference to someone today, and that I was able to show my kids how good it feels to give. 

I am so blessed.