Homeless people
I've only just realized, I've never told you about a little custom of mine. Almost every time I see a homeless person, I stop what I'm doing and buy them a meal. Today, on my way to work, I saw an older woman (in her early 60s?) sitting on the curb. She was clearly homeless for she had all the signs- a cart full of dirty blankets, torn clothing and shoes, and a less than pleasant odor. Immediately, I pulled into a nearby Lucky's and purchased two apples, a rotisserie chicken, and iced tea.... As well as a breakfast bagel for myself. As I was walking over to the woman, I could see her watching me out of the corner of her eyes... She wanted it, that much was obvious, but she was afraid it'd be presumptuous, so she merely side-watch me approach her. When I handed it to her, at the risk of sounding cheesy, she smiled a big toothless grin and had sparkles in her eyes that could rival a child's. She thanked me a thousand times over and I simply said "no problem!" and left. And that was it.
I've done this several times before. Like.... a couple weeks ago, I was walking into Taco Bell because I wanted a drink and there was a homeless woman standing nearby. I asked her if she was hungry and (of course) she said yes. I told her to come with me and she could pick any combo meal. She did and I never saw her again. She didn't stalk the place in the hopes that I'd return with the same offer.
In the beginning of this year, I was driving to work (Hawk Relay, not DCARA) and I saw a woman, a young woman this time, standing near the highway exit. She was very down to earth and hippie looking, complete with dreadlocks and long armpit hair lol. She had a boxer dog (who was wearing a bandana) and had a sign that said "Everybody needs a miracle!" This woman wasn't your typical homeless person.. She was clearly a traveler and homeless by choice. She was smiling at passing cars and and saying "PEACE!!!" . I made my stand on feeding the homeless when I can and although she wasn't homeless, I was so attracted to her energy and I wanted to do something to show I liked her! But I had to leave because I was late for work... I hoped and hoped that she'd still be there at lunch. Come lunch and I went to the store to buy the same thing, but this time I brought a bag of apples too and a large dog bone. When I gave it to her, it had started raining and she was packing up. She was SHOCKED because she thought this city was snobby and rude. Apparently, everybody shouted jeers and insults at her all day. I shouldn't have been, but I was shocked! She wasn't doing anything but trying to spread good energy. We hugged, chatted for a bit, I pet her wet, stinky dog, and that was it.
A few years ago, I went to The Stinky Rose, a really nice garlic themed restraunt in San Francisco on a date (LOL) and I ordered garlic rabbit with vegetables, rice, and other stuff. I couldn't finish most of it so I got it to go. As we were walking back to BART, I saw a homeless man with a cat asking for help. I asked if he wanted my leftover dinner (he has the right to decline) but he didn't. He took it, gave a piece to his dog, and thanked me.
These are just random examples that popped into my head while typing this. I've done this countless times and I will continue to do it. During these tough economic times, homeless assistance, disability services, etc are the first to go. Every little deed counts and I am truly (truly) more than happy to not buy a bottle of wine and instead put that money to a much better use.
I've done this several times before. Like.... a couple weeks ago, I was walking into Taco Bell because I wanted a drink and there was a homeless woman standing nearby. I asked her if she was hungry and (of course) she said yes. I told her to come with me and she could pick any combo meal. She did and I never saw her again. She didn't stalk the place in the hopes that I'd return with the same offer.
In the beginning of this year, I was driving to work (Hawk Relay, not DCARA) and I saw a woman, a young woman this time, standing near the highway exit. She was very down to earth and hippie looking, complete with dreadlocks and long armpit hair lol. She had a boxer dog (who was wearing a bandana) and had a sign that said "Everybody needs a miracle!" This woman wasn't your typical homeless person.. She was clearly a traveler and homeless by choice. She was smiling at passing cars and and saying "PEACE!!!" . I made my stand on feeding the homeless when I can and although she wasn't homeless, I was so attracted to her energy and I wanted to do something to show I liked her! But I had to leave because I was late for work... I hoped and hoped that she'd still be there at lunch. Come lunch and I went to the store to buy the same thing, but this time I brought a bag of apples too and a large dog bone. When I gave it to her, it had started raining and she was packing up. She was SHOCKED because she thought this city was snobby and rude. Apparently, everybody shouted jeers and insults at her all day. I shouldn't have been, but I was shocked! She wasn't doing anything but trying to spread good energy. We hugged, chatted for a bit, I pet her wet, stinky dog, and that was it.
A few years ago, I went to The Stinky Rose, a really nice garlic themed restraunt in San Francisco on a date (LOL) and I ordered garlic rabbit with vegetables, rice, and other stuff. I couldn't finish most of it so I got it to go. As we were walking back to BART, I saw a homeless man with a cat asking for help. I asked if he wanted my leftover dinner (he has the right to decline) but he didn't. He took it, gave a piece to his dog, and thanked me.
These are just random examples that popped into my head while typing this. I've done this countless times and I will continue to do it. During these tough economic times, homeless assistance, disability services, etc are the first to go. Every little deed counts and I am truly (truly) more than happy to not buy a bottle of wine and instead put that money to a much better use.