12.19.2010

My heart was touched today

I know, I know, long time no blog. This has been the craziest holiday season ever for me. I have had SOO much to do on top of getting used to My husband being gone. Let's just say, Single Mom's deserve awards! I would NOT want to do it full time. I've always appreciated my mother being a single mom, but even more now!

I just had to share this though. It seriously made my heart almost burst with happiness.

Nashville has quite a large homeless population. It's sad, yes, but there is this organization that helps get them back on their feet. They print newspapers and have homeless "vendors" sell them at various street corners city wide. The papers are $1 and they are allowed to keep $.75 of each sale. I think it's Awesome.

So, there is a corner about 2 blocks from our neighborhood that I pass constantly. About 3 weeks ago, a vendor popped up there. I had heard of the organization, but had never bought a paper. This guy was so cute. He reminded me of my father in law. Short lil greek guy, looks like Mario with a HUGE smile. That's what got me. He smiles at everyone. Even the mean teenagers who laugh and throw things, and the angry drivers who don't want him there. He's there EVERYday. Even last week when it was in the teens outside and icy... still smiling.

Mikal and I stopped together the first time. He was so gracious and thankful, it completely got me. I've stopped maybe twice since. Even when I can't, I smile and wave. I figure, he could use at least a friendly face with all the jerks out there. I totally give them props for trying to better their lives (they are screened for drugs and alcohol, btw) instead of just panhandling.

Well, today after church I approached his corner and he burst into the BIGGEST smile I've seen out of him and picks up some items and heads my way. I smiled and motioned that I didn't have anything and he starts quickly shaking his head "no, no, no". So, he gets to the window and I said, "hi! I'm sorry, I don't have cash today". He grinned and said, "no, I wanted to thank YOU for being so kind and cheerful to me. Here is a bumper sticker for you and some goodies for the little one. God bless you."




He made my whole day. How often do we get thanks for small good deeds? I am so grateful for this little man this holiday season. He has reminded me of what's important; the reason we are here. Be kind to each other. Smile at a stranger. You never know how much it may be needed!

6 comments:

  1. What a touching story. It is so amazing the little things we can do in life that make a huge difference to someone else - and vise versa! Thank you for sharing this heart warming story. Happy Holidays :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. What corner is he on? I didn't know that about the papers. I will stop more often now and buy papers. How awesome is that?!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my gosh, how sweet!!! What an AMAZING story this time of year. Thank you for the reminder that this is what is truly all about. Not the gifts, "fanfare", etc. THis put a huge smile on my face. Thank you! And thank you for being a nice person and being kind to him. I can't even imagine how mean people are to him on a daily basis.

    Love and prayers to you and your family this Christmas season! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMAGOSH!!! Girl. That warms MY heart and my heart is freezing cold. GOOD ON YOU for showing him love and mercy and good will. They need that. Geez. Now I'm crying thinking about my adventure this weekend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. sososososososoooooo true.i always have a smile on my face, always have i guess i look pretty goofy walking around like that but my whole life strangers have thanked me for the smile. i think i learned it from my dad. but you really never know when someone needs a friendly face!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a neat thing! Great post :D

    ReplyDelete