We were on our way to church as a family, and I thought it would be a good opportunity for everyone to share in the ‘lunch experience.” So I was a bit disappointed when no one was waiting at the I-20 exit ramp like I anticipated.
Wait- anticipated? Usually I dreaded someone being there. In my Sunday Best, on my way to worship God, I felt like a hypocrite avoiding their eyes, trying not to read the signs. “Homeless Veteran- please help” or “HIV positive and no where to go.” Didn’t I just give a lesson on how King Benjamin taught us we are all beggars?
So this anticipation was a welcome shift. I felt almost giddy as we got off the highway…… then deflated when the corner was empty.
But after we turned the corner and drove along Lee Street, I noticed a tall middle-aged black man in a blanket and dreadlocks walking up to the bus stop. We were stopping at the light as we pulled along side him. He glanced at me and I smiled at him through the window but he looked away. He walked up to the bus stop bench and sat down. There was a plate of food there which appeared to be from the local sandwich shop, probably left there by someone getting on the bus- it looked like mostly cole-slaw. The man picked it up and started eating. When the light changed we were able to pull up and I rolled down the window. He instantly put down the plate and stood up, approached and accepted the lunch with thanks.
The older kids didn’t say much, but the four year old pipes up, “Mommy and Daddy, when I grow up, I want to be a homeless person so Mommy will give me a lunch.”
I think having a plan is what changes us from dreading to anticipating something.
Agreed, if my perfectionism is kept at bay, I find having a plan really helps me deal with fear of the unknown. Of course, I also have to be flexible enough to roll with the punches when things don’t go according to plan. :)
Claire — I really admire the way you are involving your family. It seems to me that this will be the kind of thing that sticks with them.
It really is great when you can do something that helps people, something that you don’t HAVE to do. I remember one time I was cycling home from work and went through a subway, someone was there asking for money.. and I didn’t have any, I probably wouldn’t have given any to be honest, but it was true that I didn’t have any.. I cycled on.. then I remembered I had a Mars Bar in my bag, cycled back and gave it to him – I remember feeling really good.. and wishing that one day someone would give me a Mars Bar :) I love the way kids tell us exactly what their thinking. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I’ve never heard that story, Hedge! I know how much you love chocolate: that was a generous gift! :)
It’s funny you calling me Hedge.. you don’t normally :) I do love chocolate :D
Heather, thanks! I’m thinking about all the times I’ve begrudged the freeway off-ramp beggars for making me look away. Yeah. Your sense of anticipation is a miracle in my eyes.
And Hedge (if I may call you that), the fact that you remembered long enough after having passed the homeless guy that you were still in the mode of acting when an idea came — that’s awesome.
Hedge- so fun to hear your story. I love how these little moments in time are memorialized in our minds, and I love learning about them from other people, so I can picture it, too.
As as aside… you all can also ANTICIPATE the upcoming Sunday feature, Ride to Church- coming this Sunday. These pictures in my post will be included in the photo essay on Sunday.
Claire–can’t wait to see the pics!