Angels are everywhere...right?

Years and years ago my Mother-in-law told me a story about a homeless man who knocked at their door. She didn't have work for him to do and didn't have any money to give him but she told him to wait on the porch and she'd be right back. Moments later she reappeared with a big plate full of food. She told him this was all she had to offer him. The man was very grateful, thanked her over and over for her kindness and sat down on the steps to eat. My MIL asked me if I knew why she had done that. I told her I just assumed it was because she was just a kind soul and wanted to help people.( she took in a lot of welfare children while Lovee was growing up). She told me that 'Angels take many forms....and we must never judge anyone by their appearance or seemingly lack of education or money. You never know when one of those people you pass by and never give a second thought to might be an angel....sent to see how you're doing."

Well, let me tell ya...I've never forgotten that story. I think of it every time I see someone who appears down on their luck, homeless or whatever. It makes me pause...think and reflect. It also, hurts my feelings. Not knowing what put that person there, the circumstances and all, makes me want to reach out and help. But, I seldom do. That's a very shameful thing for me to admit. Oh, I've given a few dollars here and there but I've never stopped and talked to someone and asked what I could do for them. Why?....because I'm afraid they just might tell me; or think I'm some whack job who thinks they can save everybody. Yea, I know....crazy. Anyway, if I did ask and they tell me, I'd have to either take some action to accomplish whatever task I see before me or just tell them I'm sorry I can't help and walk away. I'm sure my thinking is way flawed here but that's just me. For now anyway. I'm often afraid or skittish of the unknown.

I see the same 2 homeless men all the time. One is up at the grocery store by my parentals. I've seen him in the store on occasion...buying yogurt or chips or something. I actually look for him whenever I pass that store. If I see him I'm relieved because I know that he's alive. Yea, not just ok, but alive. In the winter he's got on warm clothes...gloves,boots...he wears a stocking hat all year long. There appears to be a LOT of hair under that cap! The other guy hangs around the shopping center where the Mom gets her hair done. Every Friday I look for him. I see him in the summer more than winter. He too seems well clothed for the elements. This guy however, talks to me. Well, not really in conversation form but he will ask if I can spare a cigarette or a light. I often just give him my pack, to which he'll respond by asking if I'm quitting. I'll tell him no, " It's a share day" I'll say. He always thanks me and tells me I'm a very "kind lady". One day he told me about some stick incence he had that smells "real good". He puts it behind his ear. Lit and all. I'm often the first to greet him whenever I see him. I'll say " Hi there friend." He sometimes will look up at me and smile and walk on by. Other times he'll ask for a smoke...thank me and go about his business. Or he'll be sitting on a bench with a beer in one hand and a smoke in the other; staring at the cherry on the cig and dabbing it with his finger. It doesn't seem to burn him which I find amazing.

Then the other day when Dad and I were at the Wal~mart a guy approached us and asked if I could spare a 'few coins'. I said " sure, but I've got to get this stuff in the trunk first". He followed us to the car and watched me unload into the trunk then said he'd put the cart away for me. I thinked him. He took the cart then came back. I reached into my billfold and only had a $5. So, I gave it to him and said "Will this do for now?" he said " Thank you very much, you're a 'kind lady'". Off he walked out to the street. My Dad was real confused and wondered what that was all about. I told him it was someone who needed a bit of help. Later Dad told Mom that I was giving money away to bums. It's ok. He's a new soul I think and doesn't really get the idea that we all need to reach out and help sometimes. I told him" Dad, angels take many forms, you never know where they'll be". He agreed....then asked if that was someone I knew. No, dad I said...it was just someone who needed a bit of help. Oh, he said..."how come?"....
The looping started again and I eventually got the conversation changed.

My Sunshine girl saw someone during Christmas, standing on a corner with a sign advertising a nearby store. It was literally freezing out and she could see the guy was frozen to the bone with bare hands. She went into Sears and bought the guy some gloves. She took them to him and said something about how cold it was and she thought he could use them. He thanked her a lot and she went on her way. I was so proud of her for doing that. My heart was about to burst while she told me about it. She said something about Angels being all over and how you never know where they'll be next. I just smiled.