It's really hard to not be cynical these days, who to trust, who not to trust. We see people sleeping under bridges that are homeless, the not so scraggly man standing at the end of the exit ramp asking for money, people everywhere, in every town, in every setting, are hurting, some for real and others just acting the part for the handout. BUT, you never know when that one person that you avoid like the plague may actually be that angel in disguise put there to test you or bless you. So, what do you do? How do you know? The answer is simply, you don't...
Every day, we each have an opportunity or two to make someone's day better (including our own), to change a life, share God, bring a smile, basically, we all have the chance daily to be the blessing to someone else.
You never know what form it will take, it could be as simple as a smile, as warm as a hug or as lasting as just listening when someone needs to talk. The blessing comes from your heart and your willingness to give back or be there for that one Angel on your doorstep at that moment in time.
Last week, I wrote that sometimes, we all just need a good cry. It's cleansing, it's restoring, it's a release, but it's also a way that we know our hearts, our tender spots are still there. There are people and situations all around us that we tend to tune out because we have become desensitized to the cries of those around us, the world around us. We have turned off our senses to those that are a little different, seem a little threatening, a little diverse. Last week, I learned a very important lesson and thanked God for that Angel that He planted on my doorstep at work and the impact it has had on me ever since. This is His story....
On Friday, I was wrapping things up at the office, sorting mail, answering phone calls, and just getting ready to tie things up for the week. I'm there by myself a lot of the time and have gotten very cautious about who I open the door to. I keep the door locked all the time, as we've had some pretty unsavory characters show up, looking for handouts our free advice. But this day, it was different. I had been on hold with a contractor for quite awhile and as I sat there blankly starring out the window, I saw a car pull up and park and an elderly man, all stooped over, got out and started walking slowly and carefully down the sidewalk, tapping his cane with every step he took. He appeared tired and very weary and I noticed that he had what looked to be a fresh head wound. A long gash, with numerous stitches, reached from one side of his head to the other. I'm ashamed to admit that I almost didn't open the door and greet him, but there was just something about him that gave me the feeling that he was okay.
He stood before me telling me that he had been in an accident earlier and was looking for a doctor. He said that he was from down south of Macon and he had been driving an acquaintance up here to be with family. He wasn't real familiar with the highways up here and the exits and all. Someone side swiped his car while he was changing lanes. His car was damaged, but even worse, he and his friend were hurt pretty bad. He refused an ambulance when the State Patrol offered, and he took his traffic ticket and drove his friend to the hospital for treatment. That's when the patched up the gash on his head. I'm not real sure what happened after that, whether the hospital offered to get him help or if he just left, but he had been driving around for quite awhile, looking for a doctor's office and an attorney. Lost, alone, confused and afraid, he found our office and pulled in. I felt so bad that there was nothing I could do short of calling 911, so I did the next best thing. I listened and I just let him talk. It was 30 minutes that has changed me and I won't ever forget it.
As he talked, he shook, his eyes were filled with fear, and with tears beginning to spill from his eyes, he began to talk about his life. His wife had passed away as had his children. He had no family left. He was 87 and had been driving around all day since he left the ER, because he didn't know where he was or what to do or where to go. He just needed someone to tell him what to do.
As he talked, he seemed to be reliving memories and he began to tell me stories from his life. At 17, he joined the navy and was stationed at Pearl Harbor. He told me about being blown off of the ship he was on and then getting caught up in the wake it created as it began to sink. He survived, but all around him were the lifeless bodies of many of his shipmates. He was rescued and tended to and later on, was aboard another ship that went down off the coast of Scotland and he nearly lost his life again. He watched as his ship went down with many of the crew and the admiral on board as it did. He tearfully said, "I survived, but they didn't."
He asked if there was a doctor available. no' I'm so sorry, and I offered again to call 911. He had already been to the ER. I think he just needed someone to listen and to care enough to treat him like a human being and not a number or just another case in the ER. I told him over and over that I was sorry there was no one there to help him, and he said "it's okay, you already have...thank you for just listening to an old man." With those words, I reached out and gently put my hand on his crooked shoulders and gave him a hug. He walked away, tears rolling down his ruddy cheeks, and he turned and looked at me one last time before he got in his car. The only thing he said was "thank-you".
I waved goodbye and stood there and watched as he drove off, tears streaming down my face, and I said to myself, "no, I need to thank you." He had no idea how much he had done for me. He had no idea of the gift that he had given me. He had no idea that he was the blessing that I needed at just that moment, on just that day, in just that place.
Since Friday, I haven't been able to stop thinking about him. I can still see him standing there, afraid, hurting, lost, and I wonder where he is, if he is okay, if he blessed someone else that day as much as he did me.
I know that he is in good hands. God has him, of that I am sure and I thank God for that special angel that made my life just a little bit better because of the time that he spent with me...
I'm not asking you to take risks or to do anything unsafe, but I am asking that you look twice at that person standing on the corner with their hand reached out for help. There are a lot of scammers and ruthless people out there that know the time is right to mooch and panhandle instead of trying to work, but there are people that truly need the help, whether it's clothes or a job or money for food, or shelter, or just an ear to listen. If you don't feel safe with that person on the street corner, go volunteer to help at a shelter or soup kitchen. Lend an ear while, offer a hug and let them know you care, and so does God.
It's Christmas time...give of yourself. The gift you get in return may turn out to be the blessing you receive when you greet that "Angel on your doorstep".
Love you all, God bless and Merry Christmas,
Kaye
