"There But For the Grace...."

I remember clearly my first ever encounter with a street panhandler.  It was in Calgary Alberta and I was a naive 17 year old farm kind out to see the world.  Some guy on the street gave me a sob story about needing bus fare to get home and I in my ignorance took his words at face value.  Ten minutes later I seen him with a bunch of friends living it up in a restaurant down the  street.

I learned my lesson quickly and I learned it well.  I don't think I gave a penny to a bum for the next 35 years.

Then in the year 2004 I had a chance to spend significant time in Mexico and learned a whole lot more about what a few coins can mean to some people.  I remember my first experiences there as well and my attitude originally was the same as after my Calgary experience.  But the Mexicans softened me up over time and within months I was looking forward to the kids at the corner store in the morning who would needlessly clean your windows whether you liked it or not.  I looked forward to the old gentlemen in the Walmart parking lot who needlessly directed you in and out of your parking spot.   I looked forward to the 10 year old kid who needlessly helped bag your groceries. I suppose I started looking forward to opportunities to share something with someone who clearly did not have the advantages I had in life.

I remember one of the last days of my tour in Mexico and I had accumulated probably 10 bucks in change in my vehicle.  It was such a spectacular feeling to unload the entire 10 bucks on 2 little kids one morning.  And to make it even better I refused to let them clean my windows!

There is a guy who now seems to frequent a busy corner in London with his hat in hand and a little sign that says "a little help please".  Even if it means that I interrupt traffic I always find a buck or two to give him.  The man has only one leg and I am so immeasurably grateful that but for the grace of god.....

I no longer believe that it is wrong to give money to someone who asks for it.  You can call them bums, beggars, street people, whatever you want.  I would bet dollars to doughnuts that not a one of them has had the good fortune I have had.  I have had the opportunity for good education, for good employment, good health, good family, good friends etc.  And I have two good legs to take me where I want to go.  This fancy new bicycle wouldn't mean so much to me if I had to walk in that mans "shoe"!

(upper body weights, run intervals)

"If you haven't got any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."---Bob Hope

Love
Peter