I watched an old man walking along the side of a well-travelled road. ‘Homeless Vet’ his sign read, ‘Please Help.’ A cold rain had been falling for hours, causing his wet clothes to sharpen the outline of his brutally emaciated frame. He paused for a moment, wiping the rain from his brow – it was the only hint and measure of defeat.

As the light changed to red, I saw my opportunity. “Hey,” I smiled, shouting from the window. “You need a lift?”

I don’t know what possessed me. Suffice to say I could hear my father’s gruff warning cry, “Whatsa matter with you picking up strangers like that??” To make matters worse, I had my then infant son in the car. But I was young, (mostly) fearless and wanting to ‘change the world.’

Just as hesitation began to form, this matted plume of unkempt glory forced his face through the window. “I’d give anything for a hot cup of coffee,” he sighed.

Looking up, I couldn’t believe what was now right there before me – an old friend and neighbor from many years ago. He’d fallen on hard times after his wife passed away, leaving the matter of life and family in his sole care. “How is this possible,” he cried, recognizing my face.

In the months to follow, I helped him regain access to the simpler things – food, running water, shelter and finally a place of his own to call his own. We shared our afternoons together, our memories dancing with the spark of adventure. Of course, the way he tells the story ‘an angel came to rescue him in the night.’ But, honestly, I think it might have been the other way around.

I’m often asked why I limit donations to that of a single cup of coffee. It’s simple, so that I may always be reminded of a desperate man standing alone on the roadside in the pouring rain. And weighing the impacts of my own hesitation, chose to stop to help anyway.

And, in doing so, once again – found my friend.

I get a little teary-eyed thinking of these circumstances, how everything came together so seamlessly. As if by some mastery of Divine intent, a series of impossible events designed to carry the lesson always near.

We can not judge what is not fully known, my friends. Not should we allow the habit of perception to rule our intentions. And now, the donations received go directly to good.

In peace, my sweet friends…I love you all…

Namaste ❣