from here to there

I don't usually spend a lot of time on social commentary, mostly because it is so seldom funny and more often than not enrages people, but today I am going to make an exception. I am troubled at my reaction yesterday to another person because it was remarkably out of character for me.

So here is what happened, I was returning from the mall and stopped at 7-11 for a bottle of wine. A homeless gentleman was counting his change out on the top of a trash can by the door and stopped me and asked me for 30 cents. I had two quarters, so I gave them to him.

Most of you are probably thinking, 'Okay, big deal. what is the issue here?'

Here is the issue, I was so self absorbed I did not take the few seconds to ask him his name, introduce myself, see if there was anything else he needed, and normally I would have. When I got home and realized what I had done I was even more upset with myself because of the immense luxury item I was at the mall picking up. This is not to say that I do not think people should have nice things but since I do I am even more responsible to be generous and kind to those who do not. I had spent over 200 dollars on a new nib for my fountain pen and 50 cents on a fellow suffering human being within the same hour. And that is shameful.

And before everyone starts thinking I am a total sap, I do not always give someone money or assistance, I tend to rely on a gut instinct of what I see in their eyes when they ask. Scientific, no - but is how I go about it. And if I can offer assistance I introduce myself, ask their name, etc. Many times you see the same people each day, and you may be thinking - 'Well, then they will ask for something every day!' Truthfully, that has not been my experience at all, or at least not for Mary, Joseph, and Cliff; the three people I saw around work everyday when I worked in the city.

I said hello and used their name whenever I saw them, Occasionally they would ask for some change, a granola bar from the store, or once Mary wanted a small bottle of hand lotion but most days I would get a hello back and a smile for being remembered as a person.

My biggest recrimination on myself is that I know how easy it would be for all the items I enjoy; a warm home, a job, groceries, tv, ...the list is long; to be totally gone. Most of us are only about 2 months away from being in dire straights if we were to lose our jobs. I certainly understand after having been laid off a few years ago. I was fortunate that I had friends and family to help, but some people do not have that. And it just is not that far from where I am here, to where he is there...