My dear friend Nonie, who a lot of you know, posted this article on Facebook. I was so touched by it I wanted to share it with you. I hope it touches your heart as it did mine.
Thanksgiving Day
November 26, 2020
My Thanksgiving Gift
Yesterday, while on my morning walk with my friend and her dogs, I received a gift. Perhaps the most poignant gift I have received in a long time.
Just a bit ahead of us, walking down the middle of the street, pushing a mostly empty cart was a man, clearly homeless. He was quiet and simply moving through the neighborhood, trying to be as invisible as he could make himself.
Across the street, two boys were playing…one on a bicycle, one afoot. The boy who was on his feet, ran up to the man and handed him something. I asked the boy what he had given him. He replied “$20”. “How did you happen to have $20 in your pocket?”, I asked. “My Grandmother always gives us $20!”
I hollered back “Tell your Grandma what you did with your money! You will make her proud!” I know I was proud of him!
Today, I find myself thinking about this young man. His action was spontaneous, generous and heartfelt. His companion asked him why he did that, “because he is homeless”
Maybe his generation will be the ones that help us find the right blend of community caring and action needed to temper people’s ability to close their eyes to the national shame of homelessness.
This boy’s gift to me? Hope and optimism that perhaps we have finally raised a generation that can help American greed be replaced with the true values needed for us to ensure all of our fellow Americans a chance for a better life.
We have much to be thankful for.
Nora Welshans
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