Things are pretty quiet ’round these parts. I spend most of the talking through my fingers as opposed to using my voice. I’m a little boggled by the speed at which time is passing, my fall class starts two weeks from yesterday and my first thesis deadline is a week after that.
Yesterday I was walking home from a particularly peaceful meditation practice when a man sitting on the sidewalk made eye contact with me. He looked sort of dirty and was shaking a paper cup at passersby. When he caught me gaze, he raised his cup towards me hopefully. I smiled first and then said, “I’m really sorry, but I can’t.” His face broke out into a huge grin and he sort of ducked his head as if he was a little embarrassed and said, “Oh, it’s okay. You have a good night.” There was something so loving and genuine about the interaction that it kept me grinning for hours after.
I don’t know why so much of what I write tends to be about positive interactions with strangers, particularly ones who I encounter when they ask me for money, but there is something about choosing to be kind when it isn’t always the most obvious action, that really resonates with me.
Believe it or not, it’s that interaction with people on the street that makes my ventures into the city so intersting – and satisfying.
It’s usually such little things. Once, a man outside the Wawa near the Convention Center asked me for a YooHoo and a pack of Reese’s cups. How could I say no? I even bought a pack for myself.
And the man that I used to see on Broad, between Chestnut and Locust with his dog. One night, he was dog-less, asking for money to get his dog out of the vet’s. Such simple things.
There but for the grace of God.
As for me, they don’t ask me for money! They ask me for ciggarettes because they always see me smoking 😛 Bad I know. What is even worse is that I give them what they want and sometimes light it for them!
I hope you went back and gave him some money. Your discription was so on the money that I could also see his smiling face which made me wonder if he was a test for you? Or an angel in disguise.
Sorry for the late comment I am trying to catch up on my blog reading. I just found you about 3 months ago and love your blog.
Comming to you from Texas
Sussie