A Chance Christmas Meeting

I was going to work last week and stopped by a local fast-food restaurant...was having a pity party about not having money to see my family or buy presents. As I sat in my warm car, the temp would soon be in the low teens.

A grey-headed bearded man wearing shabby thin jogging pants, falling apart sneakers, a toboggan, and a new coat shuffled across the parking lot. He held a plastic coffee cup in one bare hand, and the other was shoved deep into a pocket for warmth. The man glanced into the restaurant, seemed to look for someone, then turned away. I assumed the manager on duty was one who would chase him out.

I drove up closer and opened my window, "Hey Mister, are you homeless?"

"Yes" he replied, moving closer to me. Fleetingly I thought of feeling apprehensive, but was not. Wordlessly, I handed him my hat and gloves. His smile and thank you were immediate. His face lit up with such surprise, I reached into my wallet and gave him a third of all I had in the world between me and being in the same plight.

Eyes wet, he thanked me, "God bless you! I've been living in a tent in the woods. I go to church every Sunday." He reached in and embraced me, kissed my cheek, placing his one warm hand on mine. I smelled a bit of alcohol on his breath...keeping warm in the cold...not a drunk at all. "Your hands are as cold as mine!" he exclaimed. I hugged him back, gave him God's blessing in return, and prayed silently that he would survive the night in those woods. I wondered where the Christians were who attended church with him, wondered why they did not come looking for him, knowing how cold it would be.

As I drove off, I realized I had forgotten to say merry Christmas, but somehow, it didn't seem appropriate anyway. After work, I returned to that parking lot, craning my neck to see if the man was inside, keeping warm, drinking coffee and enjoying some company. He wasn't there. If I never see him again, I will never forget his kiss and the joy of receiving the blessing of one less fortunate than I.

Although I cannot pay my bills, at least I have a warm home and the means to get to a job. I may not see my children, have a Christmas tree, or get to enjoy their faces as they open presents this year, but at least I don't live in a tent in the woods in winter.

Be happy with all you have; lift up who you can. Merry Christmas!