Thanksgiving!
a couple of days ago, i had coffee with a fella i met at the homeless shelter where i volunteer. i was downtown, running some errands, and i saw him huddled up against a 3 foot statue of snoopy (we have 'em all over the place here in the springs, i think they are supposed to be artsy), trying to shield himself from the biting wind that courses through the streets in the evenings. we went inside starbucks and enjoyed a warm cup of hot chocolate together. i asked him what he was going to do for thanksgiving, whether or not he had some place to go, even if only to keep warm. he told me that sometimes he tries to make it south by this time, only this winter his back was acting up, and he could hardly walk a block without either passing out or vomiting all over himself. i told him that if he wanted, i would help him find a place to go. he declined, then told me that charity was the last thing he wanted, and that he'd be just fine. i was insistant on helping, and of course so were his insistant declinations of said help. he thanked me for the drink, and proceeded out the door, once again evolving into the chilling recesses of the cities dark bowels. i ate a three course meal fit-for-a-king today. i was warm, happy, full, and loved by all of my family and friends that were gathered around me. but i ask you? where was my friend? where were you?
so... what are you thankful for?
so... what are you thankful for?
2 Comments:
your questions always stop me in my tracks, replaying my day, and making me inquire on my accomplishments...not MY accomplishments so much, but in what way have I helped someone else out? Without the urging and sometimes painful questioning, we might just live in ignorant bliss to the dark bowels of the world. I never want that.
indeed em, insightful thought. thanks for the comment.
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