佚名/Anonymous
I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and there are some homeless people in the downtown, especially the University area.I used to give a lot of money to the homeless, feeling sorry for their misfortune.But as time passed, I fell into a victim to many of the circumstances of a homeless person.After I was divorced from my husband, I became a single mom with no home, a huge debt, and hardly any income.As a result, I became very mean and stopped giving to the people on the side of the road.
Through my working hard, things started to change for me.I became responsible enough to have a home with a backyard for my daughter, and plenty of food, and I started to pull myself out of debt.One day we saw a homeless person with the sign“Will work for food.”I passed by.My daughter commented,“Mommy, you used to always give to those people in need.But now ...”I replied,“Honey, they just use that money for alcohol or other bad things.”She didn’t respond.But when I said that, I didn’t feel right.
Three days later, I was driving to pick up my daughter from school.A man was standing on the corner with the appearance of worries, and suddenly something deep inside me said,“Just help the guy.”So I rolled down my window, and he ran over with enthusiasm.He said,“Kind lady, I only need 77 cents.”I reached into my pocket and found that I didn’t take my purse.And then I embarrassedly spread out my hands to show that I was in no position to help him.But when he turned away, I called to him,“Wait moment!”I found in my ashtray there sat three quarters and two pennies.Oddly enough, it was the very 77 cents.
My skin was prickling as I saw this.I scooped it up and gave it to him.He burst out with joy and tears in his eyes,“Wow, you just made it possible for me to see my mom for Christmas! Thank you so much! I haven’t visited my mother for three years.The bus is leaving in 20 minutes!I have to go now.”
It was the moment that I’ll never forget.I think that man won’t forget it either, but I was the one who got the best gift in life—GIVING.It also strikes me that nothing is a coincidence, and every giving has meaning, although it is the humble 77 cents.