Interesting meeting with a homeless man yesterday..

[supernova]

A lot of nights I drive home from work on 1-40 and get off at 15-501, the 4-lane that runs between Durham and Chapel Hill. Turn right, you go to Durham, turn left for Chapel Hill. For around here, this is a big intersection with hundreds of cars passing through every minute, double that during rush hour. Because it is so large, this intersection is a great place to panhandle. Think about it. You've got a captive audience. Though you have to move out of the way once the light turns green. :D

I pull up to the light so I can turn left. As I pull up I can see a guy standing on the side of the road holding a sign. He's thin, medium hight, straw hair and a tanned complexion. He's wearing a denim cap, jeans and a denim jacket. I guess he might be used to working outdoors. The sign says "Homeless, please help. God bless you." I gave him the $5 bill I had in my pocket. I instantly felt silly being on my way to the gourmet shop for a few treats for a successful week at work. I certainly have plenty of food to eat and a comfortable roof over my head.

He noticed I had a Duke Alumni sticker on the car. (Pipe down all you UNCheads! :P ;-) )He asked me "Do you go to Duke?"

Me: "No, my Mom did. This was her car. I just never got rid of the stickers." I didn't mention my own reasons for the affinity.

He: "Would you believe I'm taking a class at Duke?"

Me: "You are? What are you taking?"

He: "I'm taking a class at the Divinity School. They let me sit in for free."

I think he means they let him audit the class, but he doesn't have the word for it.

Me: "Wow, that's really great. The Divinity Program is a really good one."

He: "It's really great. I love going to class. I love talking to everyone."

Me: "Yes, I've looked at a program there myself, but $$$ holds me back. What class are you taking?"

He: "Mission and outreach, I think they call it."

Me: "Do you think you might like to do that kind of work?" (He looks to be mid 30s?)

Here the light turns green and I have to pull away.

He: "I don't know. You know the Divinity School is awfully expensive. You'd better go. Thanks again, you don't know how much this means."

Me: "Good luck with your class!" I shout out the window as I pull away.


I guess the point of this is just to say, you never know who you might run into. It was an interesting exchange and one neither of us would have had otherwise.

edit: Spelling

[LaurenG]

1. Did you noticed he said

"I love talking to everyone". You did a really good thing because you connected with another human being. He needed to be looked at as a person and you did that. Thank you for not just driving off and trying not to make eye contact much less speak to him. :hug: If I'm ever in the same place as him I would hope that someone like you would take a moment to acknowledge that I existed.

Too cool even if you hadn't given him a dime.:thumbsup:

[supernova]

2. That's what struck me too

One of the things that bothered me about being unemployed for two years was not having anywhere to go. Knowing I was't expected anywhere. I'm sure that's just as important to him as whatever the subject matter is.

Thanks. I try to give what I have when I can. It's not hard at all. :-)