I dare you to not cry after reading this.
http://www.oregonlive.com/books/index.ssf/2010/01/matt_love_thanksmy_best_friend.html#comments
Sunday, January 31, 2010
I'm not the man I should be
Timeline: Friday evening after running around with Jenn, we decided to stop at Burgerville for a quick bite. First off, there was a High School Basketball team. So Jenn and I sat in the midst of kids, literally young enough for me to be their father.
But that is not what bothers me this evening, nearly 48 hours after the fact. No, I am bothered my inaction to help my fellow man. Jenn and I were enjoying our meal when a homeless man shuffled in to Burgerville. He was in some bad times, that was fairly obvious. It was his tone of his voice, the sad meek pleading in his voice as he walked throughout the lobby asking for someone to buy him some food, that wrecked me. His sneakers were too big for his feet and they flopped around on his feet as they didn't have laces. He seemed so small and sad having to beg strangers for food. I sat there and didn't do a thing, and watched quietly as a true gentleman stood up and offered to get him something. This was a young guy, sharply dressed, a bit of a yuppie. He seemed to be the type that would ignore the less advantaged than himself. But he stepped up to the plate, and didn't even balk when the homeless man bought over $14 worth of food. (I know at Burgerville that isn't hard, but still.)
I am very blessed and extremely thankful for all my gifts I have received. I need to be more helpful to those less blessed. I will have a son here soon and I want to show him the right way to carry yourself. The best way to teach someone how to act is to do it yourself. I learned a valuable lesson Friday, one I soon wont forget.
But that is not what bothers me this evening, nearly 48 hours after the fact. No, I am bothered my inaction to help my fellow man. Jenn and I were enjoying our meal when a homeless man shuffled in to Burgerville. He was in some bad times, that was fairly obvious. It was his tone of his voice, the sad meek pleading in his voice as he walked throughout the lobby asking for someone to buy him some food, that wrecked me. His sneakers were too big for his feet and they flopped around on his feet as they didn't have laces. He seemed so small and sad having to beg strangers for food. I sat there and didn't do a thing, and watched quietly as a true gentleman stood up and offered to get him something. This was a young guy, sharply dressed, a bit of a yuppie. He seemed to be the type that would ignore the less advantaged than himself. But he stepped up to the plate, and didn't even balk when the homeless man bought over $14 worth of food. (I know at Burgerville that isn't hard, but still.)
I am very blessed and extremely thankful for all my gifts I have received. I need to be more helpful to those less blessed. I will have a son here soon and I want to show him the right way to carry yourself. The best way to teach someone how to act is to do it yourself. I learned a valuable lesson Friday, one I soon wont forget.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A long drive with many concerns
Tomorrow I am due to drive all over the place. I have to go to Coos Bay by way of Eugene, a solid 12 hours spent in the car. The catch is that Jenn is full term, and though unlikely, could go into labor at some point. Suffice it to say, I will have my phone available and listening for her specific ring tone as I speed my way through Oregon.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Upstaged at the Rest Stop
New year's eve, I was driving back from Eugene. I stopped at a Rest Stop, and there was a gentleman "panhandling", for a lack of a better word. These guys are at every rest stop along I-5 NB and SB in Oregon. Their signs are all the same ilk, "disabled vet" is a popular one. "out of gas" is also well played. "Trying to make it home" That one is used primarily by the younger vagrants, perhaps playing up to a parent's sympathetic nature when it comes to a child in distress.
But the guy I saw was in bad shape. He was older, thin and frail, almost sickly. His clothes were wet and filthy and he looked like he could use a warm meal. So I reached into my pocket and pulled out all the $ I had on me. Fifty cents. (I rarely carry cash.) I walked to him as he stood at the entrance by the restrooms to give him what I hoped wasnt money for booze. But I was cut off by a gentleman with a quick walk who I saw push a $20 into the bum's hand right as I extended my hand to give him my loose change.
There was awkward eye contact shared between the homeless guy and myself before I sulked back to my car.
But the guy I saw was in bad shape. He was older, thin and frail, almost sickly. His clothes were wet and filthy and he looked like he could use a warm meal. So I reached into my pocket and pulled out all the $ I had on me. Fifty cents. (I rarely carry cash.) I walked to him as he stood at the entrance by the restrooms to give him what I hoped wasnt money for booze. But I was cut off by a gentleman with a quick walk who I saw push a $20 into the bum's hand right as I extended my hand to give him my loose change.
There was awkward eye contact shared between the homeless guy and myself before I sulked back to my car.
My Neighbor shames me
Hearing the girls from upstairs come home, I am reminded of the other night when Jenn and I were woken to bed squeaking. Our neighbor recently got back into town after spending the holidays back home and her and her man had some catching up to do. I barely heard it, acknowledged it, and fell quickly back asleep. The next day, Jenn informed me that their enthusiastic love-making went on for some time, a good 30 mins or so. I don't bring much to the table when it comes to enthusiastic love-making but my wife loves me in spite of this. After the pregnancy, we will have some catching up to do.
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