Today, I went downtown with a friend of mine, Ty, and we were waiting for another friend of mine to meet up with us, so we stopped to watch a man, needing money, draw a chalk portrait of Michael Jackson along the sidewalk. (which was beautiful)As we were standing there, watching and waiting, a homeless man, empty cup in-hand, went around asking for some loose change; and of course no one had any, or they just weren't willing to spare a cent or two.
Eventually someone dropped a couple coins in the mans cup, and without hesitation, the man went over to the portrait-drawers coin bucket and dropped his change in, and then continued on down Queen St.
Myself and Ty both saw what this man did, and immediately we both started searching through our purses for any loose change to give the generous homeless man, but coming up with nothing but a couple of pennies and some lint.
I was touched by what that man did today. At the same time, I felt very ashamed. It took, me seeing that one homeless man giving his change to another man in need, for me to even think to look into my bag for some change to spare. The human inside me should have looked the minute I saw the man going around and asking the Downtown crowd to spare a dollar or two.
I guess I can't put too much blame on myself; because, well, I can never be too sure what someone might do with that dollar I give them. Is it for food? Or is it for a quick fix? A pack of cigarettes? Questions like that always cross my mind; and it's unfortunate that one or two people can ruin it for everyone else.
Next time, I think I'll take that chance and spare whatever I can. Is it a selfish gesture because I feel bad? Maybe. But it could possibly help someone else. A chance I'm willing to take?
I think so.
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