I have always wanted to participate in a WW, but never got around to it. This week I just have to participate, because I want to share this picture. First I have to defeat the wordless part and tell you about it ;) I feel amazing!!!
Today as I went to get the last of the groceries I could afford, I had $3 left. My kids suggested I buy the scratch off tickets from the machine. I did, and went to the car. A homeless man I had seen in the parking lot hurried over to us and started putting my bags in the trunk. Normally I would freak out, and I did feel uncomfortable for a few seconds, but then I just had a feeling of "okay-ness" ;)
After he put my bags in, I said I was sorry but I only had a scratch off to offer him, and asked if it was okay. He smiled and said yes. I walked away to sit in my car. I wholeheartedly was hoping he would win something great, my kids saw and heard my conversation. They also said they wished he won the big one, and how cool it would be if he won something amazing.
As I'm getting ready to turn on the car, the man comes back and asks me to roll down my window, I guess I was too slow because he opened my car door for me, lol. He asked me if I could please scratch the ticket off for him, since obviously I had better luck than him. I laughed and made a joke about his luck maybe being better than mine at this point. I told him that I was wishing with my whole heart that he wins something great and scratched the ticket. He won $5!! He screamed "Yay!!" I screamed "Yeah!!!" my kids even cheered. He walked away to cash it.
A man in a car next to me said "you just wasted your money, you know he's going to spend it on liquor" I just looked at him and smiled. Something about the homeless man that gave me a good feeling. The kids and I watched as he came out of the store, with his money in hand ;)
I looked down and buckled in and turned on the car. We looked back to see where the man was going, and couldn't find him anywhere. The kids said that he was an angel God had sent to test the people today.
Moral of the story kids?
You never know who you may be helping or how much you can help even with the smallest of gestures. My heart feels over-filled today, and an immense feeling of happiness and fulfillment that I hadn't felt in years.
Was it really an Angel? He was to us ;)
Join the Wordless Wednesday and enter your links! ;)
You did a really nice thing--not all homeless people these days are drunks or drug addicts--Giving back is always good karma!
ReplyDeleteAwww I think that was so nice that he won something!
ReplyDeleteAnd true...you will never know if he was an angel or not
Your kids are very wise! Hope you have a great Wednesday. (And the guy next to you just needs to keep his mouth a little quieter) Hope you have a blessed week!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Heartfelt Balance Handmade Life
What a great story! You have me all teary eyed at work now. You have a good heart and I am glad to hear how you are instilling that in your children. We need more mothers like you out there.
ReplyDeleteThat was a really nice thing you did and a great lesson for your kids. I do agree with the man though and I don't give money to anyone. I give food and clothing instead. Maybe you can follow up with that and you and your kids can get some donations to a local shelter. We've done that a few times. This is a great time of year to do it because most people tend to think about that only during the holidays. You're very special and you should feel good bout yourself for reaching out to a stranger. :-)
ReplyDeleteSeriously who cares if he spends it on liquor?
ReplyDeleteThat is a really touching story!
ReplyDeleteLOL wait. when i first saw this I was like "umm what's with the words?"
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that!! I don't think it's up to us to decide who is 'worth' sharing with. We had a situation when we gave a homeless man money, and my son said to him "God Bless You" (he's just - like that) and the guy said to us, "He just did". I cry every time I think about that!
ReplyDeleteyou put blessings into the world, hopefully you'll get some back. such a nice thing you did giving that man your scratch ticket!
ReplyDeletethat is so cool Lily. so happy that you got to see something good happen that you started!
ReplyDeleteAmazing story of paying it forward, especially nice in front of your children!
ReplyDeleteWOw! What a story! Even if he wasn't an angel, the gesture was very kind of you. Thanks for sharing this story and thanks for doing something so kind in front of your children who will remember this and hopefully will repeat one day. ;)
ReplyDeleteNat said that something cool happened about an Angel. She was right, this was cool to read. glad you and the kids got to see something great come from something small you did. you all need to see how much positivity you exude Lily.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing gift! I love that your kids were just as excited for him as you and he were.. you are doing a wonderful job, Mama!!
ReplyDeleteThings are getting better for you sweetie, I know they are, and I am glad he has Angels watching over you.
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