My friend Diane de Boer-Phelan posted this and I really needed to read it. And wanted to share it because I think it's really important. Please read and share:
"Tonight was extra cold. I walked by a guy on my way home who I noticed had been sitting there since 1pm. I felt his despondency. I walked another full block and a half saying things to myself like "he knows where to get help" "what if he's crazy" and "what if he thinks I'm hitting on him like the last guy I stopped and tried to help" "I'm beat, I need to get home"...
So many what if's crowded my mind and I just observed them and then saw myself turning around and walking towards him. His name was Mark, and when I asked him if I could buy him a coffee he looked amazed and relieved someone was talking to him. Turns out Mark is from Queens and lost his job when he had a seizure on the job. He wasn't crazy. In the least bit. And when I told him to pick out anything and all he wanted at Starbucks, he only took a coffee and sandwich, wouldn't accept more. I asked him if he would go to the shelters tonight and he replied, "think of the worst you've heard about them and multiply that by 10". He then told me about the warmest subway stop he knew of uptown where steam pipes warmed the place.
I debated on posting this, but what convinced me was that I almost walked away. I thought of him braving this cold scary night without a friendly face all day and how different I personally know a kind gesture could change the course of your day, if not your life. And he's just one person, it was one meal in a city of thousands who may need some human connection or helping hand. I can't be the only one who wants to reach out and help, there's just too much to do. If someone reading this gets moved or sees how easy it is to help someone else, then it'll be worth the risk of looking like I just wanted kudos.
Quite frankly, the very act of connecting with and supporting someone was so humanizing for me, I almost feel selfish, like it feels too good to do something for someone. The last thing he said to me before we shook hands and parted ways was, "You know what? People think New Yorkers are mean and scary, and they're just not. They're some of the best people in the world." Thank YOU, Mark. Hope you're sleeping warm and peacefully tonight."
"Tonight was extra cold. I walked by a guy on my way home who I noticed had been sitting there since 1pm. I felt his despondency. I walked another full block and a half saying things to myself like "he knows where to get help" "what if he's crazy" and "what if he thinks I'm hitting on him like the last guy I stopped and tried to help" "I'm beat, I need to get home"...
So many what if's crowded my mind and I just observed them and then saw myself turning around and walking towards him. His name was Mark, and when I asked him if I could buy him a coffee he looked amazed and relieved someone was talking to him. Turns out Mark is from Queens and lost his job when he had a seizure on the job. He wasn't crazy. In the least bit. And when I told him to pick out anything and all he wanted at Starbucks, he only took a coffee and sandwich, wouldn't accept more. I asked him if he would go to the shelters tonight and he replied, "think of the worst you've heard about them and multiply that by 10". He then told me about the warmest subway stop he knew of uptown where steam pipes warmed the place.
I debated on posting this, but what convinced me was that I almost walked away. I thought of him braving this cold scary night without a friendly face all day and how different I personally know a kind gesture could change the course of your day, if not your life. And he's just one person, it was one meal in a city of thousands who may need some human connection or helping hand. I can't be the only one who wants to reach out and help, there's just too much to do. If someone reading this gets moved or sees how easy it is to help someone else, then it'll be worth the risk of looking like I just wanted kudos.
Quite frankly, the very act of connecting with and supporting someone was so humanizing for me, I almost feel selfish, like it feels too good to do something for someone. The last thing he said to me before we shook hands and parted ways was, "You know what? People think New Yorkers are mean and scary, and they're just not. They're some of the best people in the world." Thank YOU, Mark. Hope you're sleeping warm and peacefully tonight."
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