I went Christmas shopping with my son yesterday & we stopped off for a bit of lunch at a fast food place. As we sat there together eating our food I noticed a man a couple of tables over.He was balding, with untidy grey hair and I noticed his hands were dirty. As I looked more closely ( trying not to be caught staring) I realised he must be a homeless man. He was nursing a coffee and had 3 bags stuffed with all sorts of things.
Now, yesterday it was freezing - literally freezing. As I sat there eating my fries and orange juice, my quarter pounder with cheese, I wanted to help him somehow. The only trouble was I didn't know how to help. I considered going over and asking him if he was hungry and if I could get him something to eat. I thought about asking one of the staff there if they knew him and if so was he homeless and what did he like to eat.
The thing is though, I was worried about offending him. What if he wasn't homeless and I went along assuming he was just because he had 3 bags and his hands were dirty? What if he was homeless, but a bit mad? What if he got angry?
While I was considering all these options he gathered his things together and stood up to leave the restaurant. Again I thought I could stop him as he passed me. But I didn't. I watched him through the glass as he donned his hat and gloves and set off into the cold.
I know he was homeless and I know he hadn't eaten. I could have bought him something hot to eat. I could have talked to him. But I didn't. I feel very disappointed in myself that I didn't have the guts to talk to him. As I sit here in my warm house, so blessed in every way, I know he is somewhere out in the cold night. I should have done something for him.
Now, yesterday it was freezing - literally freezing. As I sat there eating my fries and orange juice, my quarter pounder with cheese, I wanted to help him somehow. The only trouble was I didn't know how to help. I considered going over and asking him if he was hungry and if I could get him something to eat. I thought about asking one of the staff there if they knew him and if so was he homeless and what did he like to eat.
The thing is though, I was worried about offending him. What if he wasn't homeless and I went along assuming he was just because he had 3 bags and his hands were dirty? What if he was homeless, but a bit mad? What if he got angry?
While I was considering all these options he gathered his things together and stood up to leave the restaurant. Again I thought I could stop him as he passed me. But I didn't. I watched him through the glass as he donned his hat and gloves and set off into the cold.
I know he was homeless and I know he hadn't eaten. I could have bought him something hot to eat. I could have talked to him. But I didn't. I feel very disappointed in myself that I didn't have the guts to talk to him. As I sit here in my warm house, so blessed in every way, I know he is somewhere out in the cold night. I should have done something for him.
