blog
The young man at the foodstore first noticed her when he moved a few grocery carts around at the shopping center. The second time he noticed her was at noon when he went out to warm his truck. It was a cold winter day. She sat, alone, by the big snowbank at the side of the parking lot. She looked to be 40 or 50 years old. A small cat sat nearby, shivering... and it was very close to Christmas.
The same young man from the store was now putting on his coat and getting ready to go home. It was getting dark. And the same homeless lady sat near the snowbank, with a few bottles and rags in the shopping cart. And another bag -
nearby, probably holding all her life possessions.
Most people shuffled on by, barely paying attention. But the young man from
the store stopped, on his way to his truck. He inquired if she was cold. She
nodded. He then asked if she was hungry. Again, she nodded. A tear rolled down her face. That cold winter wind was moving the snow about....
The young man from the store quietly walked towards his truck. He started up the truck and left it to warm up and then he made a decision. He had to do
something. He ran back to the store, just as they were about to lock up. He came out with a warm coffee, a loaf of bread, some cheese and a can of cat food(which he opened in the store) and carried it over to the homeless lady. Their eyes met
and she said, in a whisper: "Thankyou young man, thankyou...and Merry Christmas..." He asked if she needed a ride. She declined.
It began to snow. The snowflakes now dancing and putting a Christmas look on
the shopping centre. Music played. And crowds of people went right on past the homeless lady, barely taking notice...laughing and getting ready to go to their
shiny cars and warm homes.
The homeless lady, sat there by the snowbank, in an island of indifference
with her cat nearby. She wore a threadbare coat. The snow started to fall on
her clothing. She was almost hidden from view. And somehow, Christmas would come and go, until they found her, frozen in the snow.
The young man read about the homeless lady in a small article in the local
newspaper. He cried.
The sound of a choir lifted into the air on a cold winter night.
We are all warm and happy and snug in our beds - thought the young man.
How could this happen?