August 24, 2010

Going outside the box

Today my wife told me she “stepped outside the box.” Meaning, she did something she previously would not have done or would have been comfortable doing before. As she drove into Tim Horton’s to pick up donuts for our two grandchildren, an older looking and very discheveled man was walking down the street. Parking the car, she entered the restaurant with the children and asked them how they would feel if she would offer to buy donuts and coffee for the man. They agreed and waited patiently while she walked to the street and talked to the man. He followed her back to an outside table where she suggested he sit and she planned to take him the food and then sit inside with the girls.

Inside she ordered and delivered the food and he offered his appreciation. Then, ordering the food for the girls and herself, she decided she would make the effort not only to feed the man, but to talk to the man, thinking he might not have many conversations during his days. The girls were shy and remained fairly close to grandma. The man’s hand were very dirty, his long hair and beard were dirty and he did not smell like the people the children were used to. But, the three joined the homeless man at the table and began a memory.

Grandma began a conversation with the man, while sharing coffee and donuts, and asked him if he would mind answering some questions. She proceeded to discuss why he was walking, where he had been, was he homeless?…where did he sleep at night, and very personal life living questions. He spoke perfect grammar, very kindly and willingly, and for a few moments they were friends. The children may have seen that there are different kinds of people in this world and we do not all have easy lives …the girls being so young may have seen nothing.

When they readied themselves to go, after exchanging first names, he put out his filthy hand to shake hands with my wife. One second of uncertainty and she held out her hand and gripped his and then they parted.

I hope something was learned today. I know my wife learned something and was very changed by the morning coffee. (She asked could she get him anything else? He said, “do they sell tobacco in there?” instead he settled for another donut.)

Posted by: Phil Giessler