Thanks to a homeless man...

[Cherylv]

Carl's Jr. graciously let us stay in their parking lot last night. This morning when I took the trash to the dumpster there was a man sleeping in between 2 dumpters with one blanket. There were about 4 dumpters in this area and an unlocked gate so he could sleep there un-noticed. When I saw him I said, "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb you." He responded, "It's Okay" and looked a bit embarrassed. I threw my small bag of trash away and hurried off to end the uncomfortable meeting...but as I walked away I could see his eyes and then my eyes filled with tears. I have so, so very much and he had so little...I know nothing of his story and it is not for me to know or judge, I just know that something inside me felt such a compassion for this gentle spoken soul. I went to retrieve some food and/or cash for him. Here's the ironic part...we had not gone to the bank and had actually spent all of our cash the night before. We actually had laughed at how dumb we had been to think the other had gone to the bank and withdrawn cash ...WE NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT CASH!!! Yet, here we were with a wallet full of credit cards and no cash. I remembered I had cleaned out the car and had a handful of change so I gathered it up and went back and offered it to him. He looked at me with a surprised look and he looked right at my eyes and said, "Thank-You"
I am not sharing this because I think I did some great thing, quite the contrary. Too many times I judge what, how, or why someone would be in this situation. Today, I was given a gift...today I remembered that I prefer kindness and compassion over anger and judgement.
I wish I had asked him his name but since I didn't I will just say, "Thank You Mr. 'un-named' homeless man. I hope everyone who crosses your path will get the gift you gave me today and you find whatever you need in this world"

[Rapid Robert]

"There but for the grace of God go I" . In the world today that thought comes to my mind all to often!

[MegaRoadie]

I whined because I could not afford new shoes... then I met a Vet with no feet !

If ya ever need a bit of humble reminder about how great we RV'ers have it just visit a VA Hospital, a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter. All the worries about that annoying slide or even a blown engine seem to fade away.

When I get to feeling all full of myself I have the good fortune to be able to close my eyes and remember being in the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, April 1970, the victim of a large explosion in a place I should not have been, doing things I should not have been doing, and suffering the immediate consequences. Five went on that mission, I am the only one alive today and back then I was feeling pretty lousy and sorry for how awful I had it... Burns hurt like a bad mother-in-law, being blind was devastating, loss of use of both my hands left me very very sad and I was plain mad at my poor fate. I was put in a semi-private room, mostly because of the 24 hr care, and in a ward with many other Nam Med Evacs. I can remember awakening each morning and trying to call to my roomie to start a conversation but the first 3 weeks I had the misfortunes to not have a one of them make it thru the night. Things seemed to get worse when I finally convinced a candy-stryper to get me a mirror so I could see myself...bad idea to say the least.

After 3 months of "recovery" we took to racing gurneys down a big hill towards a small swamp at the bottom of the hill. Guys with no limbs, no sight, no hopes for a quality life kinda goin on one last thrill ride not really expecting much from tomorrow and squeezing all this day had to offer.

I hated "Nurse Cratchett" aka Lt Murphy RN back then because she insisted I arise at 05:45 each day, strip my bed, put on new sheets and pillowcase and tidy up... dont sound like much till you try it without use of your hands, sight, and with skin burned and cracking till you bleed badly and ruin the clean sheets...

All that makes today's worries seem to pale away as whining. So help those in need, pray that fate does not take you there and Thank a Vet for our freedoms.

[BarkAvenue]

Originally Posted by Cherylv

Carl's Jr. graciously let us stay in their parking lot last night. This morning when I took the trash to the dumpster there was a man sleeping in between 2 dumpters with one blanket. There were about 4 dumpters in this area and an unlocked gate so he could sleep there un-noticed. When I saw him I said, "Oh, I'm sorry to disturb you." He responded, "It's Okay" and looked a bit embarrassed. I threw my small bag of trash away and hurried off to end the uncomfortable meeting...but as I walked away I could see his eyes and then my eyes filled with tears. I have so, so very much and he had so little...I know nothing of his story and it is not for me to know or judge, I just know that something inside me felt such a compassion for this gentle spoken soul. I went to retrieve some food and/or cash for him. Here's the ironic part...we had not gone to the bank and had actually spent all of our cash the night before. We actually had laughed at how dumb we had been to think the other had gone to the bank and withdrawn cash ...WE NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT CASH!!! Yet, here we were with a wallet full of credit cards and no cash. I remembered I had cleaned out the car and had a handful of change so I gathered it up and went back and offered it to him. He looked at me with a surprised look and he looked right at my eyes and said, "Thank-You"
I am not sharing this because I think I did some great thing, quite the contrary. Too many times I judge what, how, or why someone would be in this situation. Today, I was given a gift...today I remembered that I prefer kindness and compassion over anger and judgement.
I wish I had asked him his name but since I didn't I will just say, "Thank You Mr. 'un-named' homeless man. I hope everyone who crosses your path will get the gift you gave me today and you find whatever you need in this world"

God bless you for following your heart. I helped a homeless lady and her dog in March, met them inside a Fred Meyer store in Bend, Oregon. Long story but suffice to say I followed my heart and my faith! it was a very wonderful moment....no judgement involved, just doing something because you wanted to and knew it was the right thing to do....I have no doubt that man will remember you the rest of his life! what a nice thought!

[DavenGina]

I know the feeling. I once saw a young man on the side of the highway walking with purpose. I looked like he had been doing so for quite some time. He wasn't trying to hitch a ride and he wasn't looking back to see if anyone was offering. I pulled over a ways in front of him, got out, and invited him to go a piece up the highway. Turned out he had accepted a job in Florida only to see the company go bankrupt and bounce his last paycheck. He had a wife and a daughter in Iowa he was trying to get back to and had taken that job with the expectation he would be able to move them. He'd spent his last few dollars on food at a truck stop a few miles from where I had found him and had said he was praying when I stopped.....imagine that. Long story short I took him to a bus station, got him a ticket, gave him some money for food, and my phone number with the only repayment being a phone call to let me know he made it home to his family. 3 days later the phone rang. It was his wife in tears thanking me for intervening for her husband. Had to tell her it wasn't me. God has a way of putting people in our lives right when we need them if we'll just ask him to. I got lucky enough to be used in this situation and told her to thank her husband for having faith. Don't recall his name, and I doubt he remembers mine. I do remember how it felt and the blessing I got for being there when the Holy Spirit said ....go here....

[Seajay]

Back in 1959 I was stationed in Norfolk, Va aboard the Uss North Hampton. I was traveling in uniform from High Point, NC back to ''Norva'' via Grayhound bus. We had a layover in Raleigh and I sat reading a book, waiting on my connection. As I sat a very clean cut gentleman came up and sat beside me. I could tell he wanted to talk so I put the book down and introduced myself. He did the same and we made idol chat for about ten minutes. He finally looked me straight in the eye and said ...''Sailor, I am not too good at this but is there any way you would buy me a sandwich?'' I said NO, but I will take you in that lunch room across the street and feed you all you can eat off the menu. We walked across the street and he ate the Blue Plate special twice. He had two pieces of pie and several coffees. He thanked me profusely and showed me his tooth brush and razor in his pocket. He had no luggage. He was traveling from Boston to Florida and he had no money left after buying his ticket. We talked and when we parted I handed him ten dollars and a pack of ciggies and wished him good luck on his trip. He insisted on my address so he could write to me. In a letter I got from him he explained that the ''meal'' I bought for him was the first real food he had in about 30 hours. Also in the letter there was a one hundred dollar bill with ''Many Thanks'' written on it. Back then I was making 89 dollars a month. He insisted that if I ever got to Florida that we would have a nite on the town, his treat. We corresponded for a couple of years and finally lost touch with each other when I got transferred to Maryland. I often wonder where he is now....
Such is life.....

Thank a Vet for your freedoms........ Some died to give them to us......

[Dixieray53]

Thanks for sharing ...Trace and I are in Branson...We went to the Yakoff show Friday nite...He reminded all of us to always look for the good in everyone and everything....It is a waste to spend your short life being mad and feed up...Just my two cents..Peace..D

[wa8yxm]

I like that "There but for the grace of God"... I know several churches who "Can't be bothered" tending to the homeless... Believe it or not.. In fact I know of one church which does operate a food cubbord for those in need, They also have been known to shelter the homeless. In their area there are 5 other churches, several demonations, who all contribute to that cubbord.. You see. they are too busy to do it themselves.

Actually. this works out well, because the homeless and needy know where to go.

[mythplaced]

T Hank you Cheryl for this thread. GBY

I was in "SodomUSA " (AKA LasVegas) enjoying the desert heat in winter and throwing away some disposable income....

Crossing the elevated walkway between Casinos on the strip, there are always a number of industrious people selling bottles of cold water. Amongst them was this obviously bedraggled and forlornyoung woman sitting on the ground...

She had no cup out, no sign professing her need, and she did not make eye contact with a single person. For all I know she was a drug addict, who left her young children at home alone to get a "fix".

Like many, I often judge the motivations of these unfortunates, but not on this day, something grabbed my heart,....AND

Rather than give my next $100 bill to a casino corporation who really has no need of my money, I gave her that bill, and without even looking up at me mumbled a weak, thank you.

I have no idea what that money went for, but you know what????
I don't care, I had it and she needed it more than I....

I tell this not so anyone will think me "special", but add to this thread of charity in hopes that others will embrace those in need.

A wise fellow said this a long time ago...

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

[Possum]

How many young talented people like this one depicted in Korea are there wandering the streets of North America? This young gentleman was on his own from age 5.

I found this magically heartwarming and I hope you do too.

This kid went through many great challenges to get to where he's at today. [VIDEO]

It's all in Korean but with English subtitles.

Enjoy.

[Paul R. Haller]

In 1974 I flew to Nepal from the west coast of California. I was the American climber selected for an international climb of Annapurna. I met all my climbing partners in India and together we boarded a plane to Kathmandu and from there after a brief layover, to Pokhra a very small town nestled in the Himalayas at about 10,000 feet. It took 5 days of hiking to get to Annapurna base camp and we settled in to get acclimated to the higher altitude. It was about 19,000 feet there. Here we met up with our porters (we had 16 of them ) and our Sherpa climbing guides. I found it strange that no one talked to our porters and they lived lives there on the mountain flanks apart from all other climbers and support. It is sadly a cast system and even the Sherpas held our hard working porters in total disregard. I was amazed to see them carrying all our gear, and there was a lot of it, to support 22 climbers with tables, stools, water, climbing gear, tents, pots and pans, food, radio gear, climbing supplies, medical supplies, and all other stuff needed to support such a large group. They had large baskets of some woven grass cloth and stuffed everything into those baskets and carried it on their back with a large strap loop from around their heads and looped around the baskets. They rarely wore shoes of any kind, even in the bitter cold, and never utterd a word of discontent.

Here we were with the best gear money could buy with wool pants, fishnet long underware, down parkas, 500 $ climbing boots, 200$ sunglasses, and 30,000$ worth of medical gear. That's not even counting the climbing gear. They, by comparison, were in rags, no shoes, no parkas, no socks, and they endured the cold, often to 30 below, and were our human beasts of burden. By contract with the Nepalese government the Sherpas had to be outfitted exactly like the international climbers and were paid at the rate of about 10$ daily. The porters were only required to be provided with Chinese made rubber soled cloth shoes, 1 blanket and were paid at the rate of ~ 10 cents daily with all food included. They wouldn't wear their new Chinese shoes because they could resell them at home for 2$ when (or if) they returned.

It was on our way to 2nd base camp when one porter cut his foot badly requiring stitches and could no longer continue. There was a huge argument between the climbers and sherpas, as to whether we should even stitch his wound and to just leave him there in the snow 100 miles from anywhere. I couln't allow that so I went and got the medical kit and even though we had an MD on the climb he refused to help saying it violated Nepalese law. I have been a skier and climber all my adult life and was a ski patrol in Tahoe for 2 years and had the medical expertise to help the injured porter. After giving him an injection of antibiotics I set to stitching the wound, It was a deep laceration extending from his big toe right down to the heel of his right foot. He could not carry anything and even though we had to divide up his gear and carry it on our backs I felt it was the least we could do for him and after a conversation with both the MD and the sherpas I offered to pay his way through the rest of the trip so he would not be left behind. I think the total added cost was about 55$ which I said I would pay. In Nepal all services for porters are paid in advance and as I didnt carry cash in the high mountains I had to convince the sherpas that I was good for it. His name was Sherap Zahmbu and despite the language differences we were able to communicate on a basic leval and we became friendly and he was so very thankful that I was willing to help him.

I didnt give it another thought and continued on. Three days later with weather good and clear skies forcast for the next 3 days it was time to attempt to summit Annapurna. We had chosen a route never before attempted and at 26,684 feet, it was the 10th highest mountain in the world. We started out at 2:30 AM with the hope to summit around 11AM and return. 13 climbers, 12 sherpas and a whole host of support and personel behind at base camp 2. It was a very tough climb the last 1000 feet and with no O2 almost an impossible feat and we pushed ourselves hard to gain the summit. We made it to the top and with only enough time to snap a few pictures with my Nikon we had to leave. About 1500 feet down and atop an icy footing and roped togeather I was attremping to drive in an additional piton the German climber above me yelled ROCKS! I looked up only to see and entire sheet of ice break free and start to come down the verticle face. I clipped onto the piton I just hammered in when I was jerked off my feet and started to slide. I tried in vain to arrest my fall and I was overcome in a blizzard of ice, and snow. My last memory is hearing what sounded like a train crash, the emptyness of being engulfed in snow and ice and finally, a loud crack and seeing my helmet cracked in two and disappearing in a white blanket of snow. All went black and I remember nothing else. I remember comming to and feeling great pain in my right leg but after trying to yell out and hearing no sound I drifted off again. I woke only to find my leg bandaged, a miserable head ache and pain in my right side. I found later from the other climbers that I fell along with 4 others. It was bad. The Italian and German above me both had died and two sherpas had life threatening crush injuries. I had a fracture of the right tibia, 64 stitches, a collapsed lung, 2 broken ribs, and a concussion. They were not sure of my chances, After all, we still had to get to base camp 2 with 2 bodies and 3 incapacitated climbers. After much discussion it was decided that the sherpas were to be carried out on lines strung between other climbers and that I was to be left behind overnight on the ice face until help could be brought up from base camp 2 the next morning. I had one rib in my lung and they felt they couldn't move me without further injury. I was left with enough tea bags, a stove and pan, and food to last the night. I was to weather the bitter cold on the ice face alone, in a bag and makeshift shelter, until help could arrive.

I can only say that the demons that come at night when you are alone and in pain so far from the comforts of home can eat you alive if you allow it. I guess it was was my test of character... those 6 hours. I survived as witnessed by this post but the two sherpas and the other two climbers did not. They perished there on the flanks of Annapurna so cold and uncaring about the likes of us. The sight of climbers returning out of the darkness in the most inhospitable place on the planet can only be described as angels in the night. After an exhauting day of offering what little help I could offer the others, I was returned to base camp 2 where I received immediate medical care and the direct and ongoing help from Sherop Zhambu the wounded porter. Had it not been for that porter, and his care afterwards, I surely would have died there too. There is no doubt in my mind. It was through his help, support and good will that I was able to come home and again see my precious family. Every day from that moment to this has been a gift and I am so thankful for it. I mostly recovered from that day and from outward appearances all is well, but every time I dress for work or change my clothes I am reminded of his care because of the scar snaking down my leg. I gave up climbing after that but stay in touch with the other climbers I had the good fortune to scale Annapurna with, at least, those who are left.

Sadly, I received word by telegram some years ago the Sherop Zhambu had fallen ill and died. It was sent by his son who also happens to be named Paul after his godfather...

I learned through fear, pain, bitter cold, and driven piton the lessons of that encounter and to always follow your conscience. You never know how far reaching and life changing one act of kindness can be.
-Paul R. Haller-

[two gone rvn]

It is so good to hear folks talk about the good things they do in a world of so many bad things happening. If everyone took the time to see what the real world is offering maybe things would get a little better. We should thank god that we are able to do the things we do and see the places we travel to instead of waking up in a dumpster beside Carl Jrs. At least there are some people with compasssion and understanding on the forum. Now I will get off my soap box!!!

[srrobe]

How wonderful it would be to turn on the news and stories like these would fill the hour. Thank you all for sharing

[Cherylv]

Wow, All of these stories and comments are so inspiring and heartwarming. I hope many others will feel moved to share their stories of "entertaining angels unaware"