Hey Jeff...

Let me start by mentioning that I'll be taking a trip next week. It's a work thing so no real fun there, but travel always gives me anxiety. Mostly because of the process of getting to the airport and the getting through security. That said, I've a little on edge this week. It has my head spinning and thinking about a lot of different things, good bad and bizarre.

So as I'm leaving work I talk to my father and he'll take me to the airport. We talk about some other personal issues. He assures me that everything will be alright, at which point I head for station to catch the train. When I get there, there are only a few people waiting on the platform. And there's an older skinny, gaunt, man sitting on a bench. He looks at me, smiles, I smile back, he sits down and starts eating popcorn, a chocolate milk and some cookies. He then turns to me and offers me some. I don't know this man. I barely offered him the courtesy head nod when he smiled. But here he is, offering me some of the food he has.

There are times when I am very much a snob (snobish to be accurate). This is not one of those times. This man, Jeff, is clearly homeless. Is living on the street most of the time, and is just trying to survive. I don't know exactly came over me, but I suddenly felt he might need to be safe tonight. I've seen homeless people before, on the street begging for money. I've often walked by without a second thought or depending on my frame of mind gave some money when they said what they really wanted, was to buy a bottle of something on a Friday night. But Jeff didn't ask me for anything. I went to him and asked if he was alright, if he needed anything, was he going to be safe tonight. He smiled, said something about Jesus, and his experience in the 10 years he's been in this city. We chatted for a few minutes. I gave him some money and asked that he be safe tonight. We chatted some more before the train came.

I'm no saint. I'm actually a bit selfish, but there was something about Jeff that drew my concern. Maybe it was because even though he had nothing, he was a generous person with a genuine smile on his face. I don't know... something about Jeff kinda stopped me in my tracks. Maybe it was too much stuff going on in my head. Maybe it was just reality slapping me in the face. Maybe I'm afraid of the worst that could happen when traveling and wanted to be a good Samaritan. Maybe I just felt the need to do something for someone that showed me a little kindness at the right moment. Again, I don't know. 

To those who find this blog, take care and have a good weekend.
To Jeff, have a good meal and be safe.

PEace.