I saw something beautiful this morning and I need to share.

[Goat or Panic]

There's a homeless man near where I live in Granada Hills California. I often see him walking along the service road that runs along the 5 freeway or sitting near a convenience store near by. He never asks for money and keeps to himself.

This morning, as I was pulling onto the service road, a mini van that had been parked on the side was pulling onto the road in front of me. The homeless man was walking away to the shelter of an overpass (it's been raining here.) In his hands he held a box wrapped in bright green Christmas wrapping tied with a big red bow. The gift was a little larger than a shoe box. As I passed the mini van I saw the driver, a middle aged woman with a determined look on her face. The passenger seat was stacked with similar gifts.

I don't know who this woman was.
I don't know what was in the beautifully wrapped box that she gave to this man.
But I do know that I haven't been able to stop thinking about it all day.

No matter how bad things can get, there always seem to be these small reminders of just how kind and humane we are capable of being. I hope I can challenge myself in the new year to remember this woman's act of kindness and become a better and more selfless person.

Happy Holidays everyone.
Let's take care of each other.

[Hekate]

1. Very nice. Let me be the first KnR for a happy new year.

:hi:

[BuyingThyme]

2. :-)

:-)

[sazemisery]

3. Thanks for sharing.

Made my day.

[ailsagirl]

4. Thanks for sharing!! :=)

:toast:

[NanceGreggs]

5. Lovely story ...

... and a peaceful New Year to everyone!

[AndyA]

6. That's a great story - thanks for taking the time to share.

It was a pleasure to recommend this thread! :)

[TahitiNut]

7. What? You mean the woman didn't have the cameras rolling and a big audience?

What a waste! (Let's hope she brags to her friends about her "virtues," huh?) :sarcasm:


:evilgrin:

[HughMoran]

9. We are so cynical these days, aren't we?

What a shame :(

[TahitiNut]

13. Well ... I WOULD be cynical ... if I thought it'd do any good.

:dunce:

[hootinholler]

57. BWA!

:rofl:

I may have to steal that line.

-Hoot

[screembloodymurder]

8. Wow! That is beautiful.

Merry Christmas.

[NotGivingUp]

10. Well, you gave me the chills. That's a wonderful story. I would like to be more like that woman. nt

[Goat or Panic]

12. "I would like to be more like that woman"

That's my New Years resolution. :)

[Stinky The Clown]

11. That is a real 'awwwwwww' story. Thanks for sharing, but I have a confession to make ......

...... rather than start by appreciating fully the magic of your story, my FIRST thought was "I bet she never voted for a Republican".

Merry Christmas!!!

[PurpleChez]

26. I actually know some very good-hearted Republicans

who WOULD do something like that. I just can't understand how they can stomach being a part of that crowd, and how they can have that kind of empathy and still support the Chimptard as if he were Christ's vicar.

[mwb970]

56. They are very hard to understand.

Many of the same people who act like bushbots, watch only Fox News, and constantly call for more war, more torture, and more debt are extremely nice and hospitable in person. They'll pull your car out of a ditch and give you dinner while they tell you that the great bush has "saved America" and that Gonzo was a wonderful Attorney General. What gives?

My answer: they watch only Fox News and are butt ignorant as a result. If I believed the wacko things they believe, I would probably say all the same things they do. Many of them are decent if credulous people who have been misled but don't know it. Also, many are religious and are accustomed to believing things that seem false or impossible. It's not much of a step from believing in a virgin birth and a bodily ascension into heaven to believing that bush is a good president.

"I can't believe that!" said Alice.

"Can't you?" the queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again, draw a long breath, and shut your eyes."

Alice laughed. "There's no use trying," she said. "One can't believe impossible things."

"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

- from Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

[TahitiNut]

48. Well, it's clear she *IS* a Republican.

The guy is one of her ex-husbands and she took him for everything in the divorce. The 'present' is a fruitcake ... and she gives them to ALL her ex-husbands - all of whom lives in refrigerator boxes all over the city.


:dunce: :silly:

[lisainmilo]

14. That was touching

My eyes are waterfilled, thanks for sharing. :hug:

[roguevalley]

21. lovely. as you do for the least among you, you do also for me.

[SnowCritter]

65. That's what it's all about

It's the true "reason for the season".

[flashl]

15. Thanks for sharing.

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. Sweet!

[tom_paine]

17. K & R for simple human decency, which in the Age of Bush

is getting harder and harder to hold onto.

[riona]

18. There are some truly beautiful people in this world

Thank you pointing this one out.

[crispini]

19. K&R

[MasonJar]

20. Wonderful! I am inspired! I may do something similar now that the idea is out there.

[Subdivisions]

33. Thanks to the OP for a story of true Christmas spirit and, like you MasonJar,

I am inspired and have in mind two homeless people here in my town that I see walking up and down the street almost daily. I'm sure they could use a little cheer.

[bluetrain]

54. I want to do so as well. /eom

[asdjrocky]

22. Pay it forward. n/t

[SDuderstadt]

23. Isn't this the true spirit of Christmas?

Thanks for the heartwarming story!

[Cheap_Trick]

24. if the woman WAS a republican

there was probably just a note in the box saying "get a job"

[Dorian Gray]

25. How sweet.

Thanks for the story. It brought tears to my eyes.

[clarence swinney]

27. Thanks.

Such stories are always warming.

As Christians it must be a daily endeavor.

Loves and Fishes gives out millions of dollars worth of food each year yet must strive to raise money whereas a few of our richest families could support it with golf money.

A blessed Merry Christmas to all.

[W T F]

28. Roxford Street off ramp or Rinaldi St.?

[Goat or Panic]

29. Where Balboa goes over San Fernando

Then up the Roxford on ramp.

[W T F]

32. I wondering...

It sounds like the same guy that hangs out at the gas station on San Fernando Road up here in Santa Clarita. Does he sometimes carry around a guitar?

[Goat or Panic]

36. He's a big guy

long hair, just passed his shoulders. I think I may have seen him with a guitar...maybe. We might be thinking of the same guy.

I posted this story this morning just to get it in writing. I was actually tearing up on the way to work thinking of how selfish I was for not truly appreciating the things that I had and all the things that I should give. I didn't know if anyone would actually read my post but it looks as though people have.

God bless that woman. I hope somehow fate will reward her for her kindness and that somehow she will know that she touched the lives of so many strangers.

Peace.

[me b zola]

30. k&r

[Le Taz Hot]

31. When people say there are no more heroes

I think about Good Samaritans like this. They're all around us. They're volunteering at the battered women's shelter or the homeless shelter or at the hospice. All you have to do is look for them. Thanks so much for sharing this story.

[Kajsa]

34. What a beautiful story.

It's times like these we remember just
how good some people are.

I am reminded of the Anne Frank quote,
one that still blows my mind considering
what she had been through.

" I believe people are basically good"
--Anne Frank.

Thanks for sharing this.
It made my week.

;-) :hi:

[Ignis]

35. What a beautiful story. We should all give a little to those who have less. (nt)

[ScooterFibby]

37. Thanks for sharing that...

... a good reminder to all of us about our better selves.

[Dukkha]

38. that's what it's all about

I always say Christmas is just as much a secular holiday as a religious one. It’s all about peace on earth & goodwill toward men & women. Little random acts of kindness like that go so much further than a token monetary donation to a local charity. That person may get fed at a soup kitchen and sleep warmly at a shelter this time of year, but what they’ll really feel good about is that gift received and the thoughtfulness of it. It eases the unbearable pain of loneliness of living on the street.

[ClayZ]

39. Thanks for posting this story! It gives me hope!

K and R

[Cerridwen]

40. This post needs a K & R to stay at the top as a reminder of what good people

are like; we have so few examples these days; at least that's how it sometimes seems. I know better. But sometimes it's hard to remember.

That woman...I teared up as I read the story.

Thank you, Goat or Panic for sharing this story.

:D

[Hoof Hearted]

41. Best thread ever. I'm going to save and print what you've relayed to us here and

thank you so much for posting it.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

[redwitch]

42. Lovely.

"For it is at Christmastime that want is most keenly felt, and abundance rejoices". Charles Dickens

[wellstone dem]

43. Thank you

what a great way to end a day--challenged to live the next one better.

[sellitman]

44. Her van had a "John Edwards" bumper sticker on it yanno?

Made ya look.


:evilgrin:

[sk8rrobert2]

45. thanks for sharing a truly heart-warming story

If only there were more people like this fine lady.

[davekriss]

46. Beautiful

Try and judge me only by my time and changes
And not mistaken words, for I say many
Listen closely to my song and watch my eyes
There's not much time to spare, there's hardly any

Lovely long-haired children living in the streets
Lucky not afraid to touch each other
Not afraid to be themselves or someone else
Or chose their friends with love not by color

Chorus:
Never treat a brother like a passing stranger
Always try to keep the love light burning
Listen only to his song and watch his eyes
For he might be the Prince of Peace returning
Yes he might be the Prince of Peace returning

Love the blind and wounded as you would yourself
And the businessmen in cells collecting pennies
Judge their wealth by coins that they give away
And not the ones they keep themselves from spending

Never be impatient with the ones who love you
It might be yourself that you're burning
Listen only to their song and watch their eyes
For you might be the Prince of Peace returning

(Chorus)

-- Leon Russell, Prince of Peace (a song I've listened to every New Years Eve for the past twenty plus years)

[The Wizard]

49. Been listening to it since 1970

Played it over and over when Bush started killing innocent Iraqis with his shocking and awful bombing campaign.
Indeed, "Never treat a brother like a passing stranger."

Someone sent me this today, and it seems appropriate.

The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of
the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large
pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth
water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared
to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that
were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the
pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand."
It is simple," said the Lord. "It requires but one skill. You see they
have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of
themselves."

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you.

And therein lies the difference between a me society and a we society, between predatory beasts and humans.

[rasputin1952]

58. The world is filled with unheralded heroes...

you were fortunate to have come across one that is working quietly, making a change in her corner of the world.

There are times when I believe angels walk among us, human angels that make a difference.

O8)

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

47. Oh.

:cry:

:kick:

Thank you. MKJ

[Just-plain-Kathy]

50. My father was just like this woman. There were times when he gave away...

coats before we were finished with them.

[FloridaJudy]

51. Oh wow, you just made me cry.

There are a lot of homeless in my neighborhood (I live near an Interstate exchange). I'm gonna do that: buy something warm and something that tastes good, and wrap it up for one of them. I don't have enough money to do it for all, but maybe I can make one person's day a little less grim.

Maybe if everybody did the same, it would be a brighter holiday for all.

[awoke_in_2003]

61. "I don't have enough money to do it for all"

neither do many, but if we each did it for just one, it would go a long way.

[troubleinwinter]

52. The homeless Vets in my area, in the forest

I live in the high mountain country of Arizona. A mile + high, the high desert is very cold. We have a veterans hospital here, so several hundreds of vets live in the surrounding national forests.

Everybody in town knows they camp there. In the forest. People know where the boxes are to put items in. The aren't 'official' organization boxes. We just know where the boxes are. I don't know who delivers them. Some vets are from VN. Some are newer.

There is one man in town who knows them and at beginning of our snowy winters accepts extra donations and takes the boxes to a place in the forest. We try to give as many warm socks, gloves, coats and knitted caps as we can. Along with the usual food items.

I think we care very much. I think our community regards the vets as our friends, neighbors and loved-ones. There isn't much of a solution. The community seems to regard them as some native cultures would: give to them what you have, what they need, and respect.

I met a man from that veterans forest community. He'd lived there in the forest for 15 years. PTSD, a wonderful, educated, intelligent gentleman. Who needed thick warm socks.

[Tresalisa]

53. Very nice,! It warms my heart.

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you are helping somebody in need. :kick:

[Yogi]

55. Let's take care of each other.

thanks for sharing.

[awoke_in_2003]

59. every time I give up on humanity

a story like this comes out. Guess there is still some good people out there.

[mikeytherat]

60. I spent the last two days getting supplies for gift bags for the homeless

Our church runs a feeding program every Friday, and we like to give out gift bags of toiletries and sundry items to our guests. Unfortunately, we've had quite a few more guests these past few years, and it took me some time to round up hundreds of small items (we are planning on about 150 people for lunch today).

Last night, I noticed a neighbor was throwing out what appeared to be a perfectly good girl's mountain bike. I took it from the trash, dragged it home, and spent a few hours last night cleaning and repairing a few small items. The bike is now good as new; I'm off to donate it this morning, and some little girl is going to get a nice bike this Christmas.

Finally, this year my family decided to stop the gift Bacchanalia, and give all our money to needy families and the local no-kill shelter.

It's gonna be a good Christmas.

mikey_the_rat

[Mad_Dem_X]

62. What a wonderful story

Thank you for sharing that! We do need to be reminded every once in a while that there are good and decent people in the world.

Happy holidays to you and yours. :hug:

[flyarm]

63. BEAUTIFUL STORY ..THANK YOU and thank that lady! eom

[Lindsey]

64. It's great that you noticed - it also says a lot about you...

what a wonderful lady and you're wonderful too for sharing this story. I'm going to also try to notice what's good, the good that can happen, and even the good that I can make happen. I'm already visualizing a Democratic President. :bounce:

[bdamomma]

66. nice story.

[bdamomma]

67. we all can do this, monetary funds are okay, but the littlest

things can make a person happy, give to your local Salvation Army, if you have unwanted clothes or toys, people are struggling out there, give to a food bank, we can do so much to make a difference.

[Guaranteed]

68. Great story. Thank you for the reminder. nt

[Irishonly]

69. Thank You For Sharing

The milk of human kindness still lives.

[groovedaddy]

70. Jesus taught it - take care of others

and what a difference it would make in this world if more of us did this. It isn't about "ideology" or religion. It's just simple kindness.

[Summer93]

71. Thanks

Thanks for reminding me of the times I have seen this kind of giving that I might be reminded to do this myself. there are many many ways of giving to others beside food, shelter and clothing....

Time and service was one of the gift my family received when my Mom had been in the hospital and due to an error needed to be kept there much longer. The local church people scheduled and arranged to bring an evening meal for eight to our home each day for a couple months. It was amazing.

[Maestro]

72. Yes, let's take care of each other!

Wonderful story!

[Summer93]

73. Vitality, Joy, Aliveness

Here is a quote that makes sense here:

"Giving is the highest expression of potency. In the very act of giving, I experience my strength, my wealth, my power. This experience of heightened vitality and potency fills me with joy. I experience myself as overflowing, spending, alive, hence as joyous. Giving is more joyous than receiving, not because it is a deprivation, but because in the act of giving lies the expression of my aliveness."

Erich Fromm, 1900-1980

[Hip_about_time]

74. Wow

My throat tightened up a bit. There may be hope for us yet

[SavageDem]

75. She was walkin' the walk. Great story & seasonally topical! (NT)

[Eurobabe]

76. Heartwarming

thanks for sharing.

[janetle]

77. Much better than the Starbuck's chain

This whole Starbuck's chain "pay it forward" thing is the holiday story in our newspaper and frankly, I do not get it. I pay for the person behind me because the person in front of me paid for my drink? So what? And then if you break the chain, I guess you are a terrible person and a grinch.

Now, this story about the woman in the van is truly inspiring. I read this yesterday, and I am still thinking about it.