Driving into the parking lot of a strip mall type place I notice a man pushing a cart full of, presumably, his belongings. Josh was driving. I asked him to park in the back of the lot and I watched the man for a few minutes. Hate to say it, but typical homeless behaviour.
We walked into Swiss chalet and I promptly asked for a $25 gift card. Josh sat and ordered us dinner....he didn't even need to ask. He asked for 3 glasses of water and 2 coffees and his ice tea.
So they got the gift card to work and loaded with the money. It felt like an hour. I went out to find this man in hopes he will join us for dinner. I know they don't often leave their carts as its all they have, so I have my gift card anyways for him. I'm buying him dinner one way or another. I tracked him down. I'm rather blunt as I'm sure takes some people back, but this is the just of our convo.
I asked how he was. He said he was doing 'great and enjoying the mild weather' with a lovely smile and kind eyes.
It's
ing raining on us as we talk! If someone asked me how I was, I wouldn't of said great...but he's got a better attitude than me. Obviously.I asked if he was without a home. He said yes with a littl explanation of job loss in the spring and the tailspin effect after that. I asked him to come eat dinner with us, he politely declined and explained he can't leave his cart. I said that's fine, we'll bring it in the restaurant and tuck it safely in the corner. I said come in out of the rain, come meet my son, we'd love your company. He still declined, but very politely. I said I respected that, but we wanted to buy him dinner and gave him his gift card. Nothing worse than a grown man with tears to make my heart scream with sorrow. I tell you it just breaks me up bad.
We hugged and I told him I was going to talk to the Mgr and let her know one day you'll be in and for her to park your cart safely so you can enjoy dinner. He thanked me through his tears. He said the shelters are full (he was a long way from any shelter) and he has been beaten up by what he referred to as 'regular bums' so he stays away from the downtown core. He sleeps behind a set of townhouses across the road. He pointed in that direction.
It's important to also comment that not one obvious sign of drug abuse and no smell of alcohol. Actually a decent looking man. Struggling. Clearly.
When I got back to the restaurant I talked to our waitress and asked her to let the mgr know to expect him and his cart and not to refuse him. They assured me he would be welcome.
Ten minutes into our meal and he came in. I waved at him. He had a huge suitcase on wheels stuffed full. Mgr winked at me. The gentleman glanced my way and I waved, Josh gave the manly nod and it was returned. I wanted him to sit with us, have someone to talk too. But those are my wishes and perhaps not his. Josh asked me to just let him be as he didn't walk in with the most confidence and his head was hung. In the words of Josh 'baby steps mom, baby steps'.
I was soooooo happy he came in. I told the waitress I wanted to leave $40 for his dinner and to load whatever wasn't used onto another gift card for him. She said the manager has already said she would pick up his meal. Well poor Josh. As soon as I heard that the tears ... I was trying to eat dinner with tears rolling down my face and Josh saying mom it's fine, why you crying? LOL!! But really, he's used to me by now.
During my tear fest the mgr came over and she was so thankful that I acknowledged his presence and she's going to talk to him after his meal and encourage him to return.
I was so thrilled he was welcomed, given the newspaper paper and treated with respect. I'm going to call her today and thank her again for her hospitality and generosity.
We pack an extra lunch for a student at Josh's school. If there isn't lunch items (hey it happens, I'm human!) we give Josh money and the other student gets the same. He's always welcome here but works every day to pay his 'rent'. We have him over on holidays. He is a happy kid. Despite life's BS. Good head on his shoulders. Good grades. Life has been real
ty to him. Sixteen years old. No parents around. Lives on his own. Under the radar. The system sucks big kahonas.It's so important that we acknowledge all of our neighbours. All of them. Even the ones that appear to be under the radar. They are there, we just have to be willing to see them.
I don't share for hopes of an odd hope of recognition. I share because I hope others can see how easy it can be to help an other person(s) by just a simple act, and in last nights case, a contagious act of kindness. Love the viral effect!
