RE: PROJECT: PAY IT FORWARD FOR THE HOLIDAYS
I knew there was a reason I liked you -- you're just a great guy!
Walking home from work last year, a few days before christmas (Im not a big fan of the holidays) -- it was freezing... I got a about 2 blocks to my front door and I saw a woman about my age sleeping on a small piece of cardboard in front of an abandoned storefront. All she had as a jacket was a hoodie (not good enough)... I had just got a brand new winter coat, so I took off the nice, heavy winter jacket I was wearing and laid it on top of her and put down a bag of food I was bringing home from the restaurant I was working at (grilled octopus, branzino, greek salad) and started to walk away.., when I heard someone yelling "sir, excuse me sir." It was the woman and she wanted to thank me... And the she said -- "I thought I was going to freeze to death tonight -- thank-you, so much, can I ask you your name..?" I told her my name.., and she looked me right in my eyes and said -- "Thank you, Mack - you just saved my life." I know my neighborhood like the back of my hand, so I told her to follow mw and showed her a small little structure in an old school yard that didn't have a lock and that nobody ever went near -- I told her to sleep in there, it would be warmer and safer.
I never told anyone this story, until now... Maybe it will help to inspire some "simple acts of kindness" this holiday season. I'll tell you this -- even though her situation made me quite sad, helping her out, that little bit -- made me feel great! Cheers @ericvancewalton
Wow, what an wonderful gesture, @macksby! Thanks for sharing it here. The great thing about how the universe works is helping others like you did is like a magnet to bring more abundance into the life of the giver. Did you ever see the woman you helped again? A friend of mine, @juanparker, gives away food and hand painted t-shirts to the homeless when we go to Chicago. We've gone there once a year for almost 15 years and have gotten so we recognize some of the people on the street. It's an unbelievably harsh life out there for them. It makes us realize how lucky we are. Why don't we hear more stories like the one you just shared on the news? I know it happens more often than we're led to believe. They just feel positive stories don't get ratings, I guess. Cheers to you my friend!
I know a lot of the homeless in the neighborhood... Even if I don't have anything to give, they appreciate a little conversation, a lot. Most people are scared of them, or whatever. But, it can happen to anybody.
That was the first and last time I saw her... You're a good man, @ericvancewalton
I can't even imagine how isolating being homeless would feel. You're right, we are conditioned to believe they are all dangerous and even sub-human. You are SO right, in it can happen to any one of us. When a person realizes this the barriers begin to come down, I think. Your willingness to converse with them might even be better gift than money. Awesome, @macksby!