Almost there. A self portrait from the good old days..... comming along!

My BLog disappeared!!!!

Eddie with "full blown Aids"

It was lunch time and as I hurriedly dashed into the parking lot there he was perched on his bland bicycle with various things assembled on it, a young black male maybe 25 or so. He had his hat on backwards and a CD player with earphones strapped to his arm. Just another homeless person or vagrant that drift around the area that is near my office down town. Of course he was out of my mind instantly as I swept into my favorite parking space with nothing on my mind but the delicious grilled chicken salad that lay in the passenger's seat next to me. As I fumbled in my purse for my keys before I got out into the oppressive heat he rolled up next to my car a respectful 6 feet away and waited. I couldn't locate the keys and was secretly thankful as it gave me an excuse to ignore him and not get out of the car in any haste. He waited. My resentment was already brewing as he sat there waiting - for what I was sure would be a request for a handout.
How do these people always find me???
Finally, I found the keys and braced myself as I strolled around the car to retrieve my salad. "Mamn," he said in a clear, soft voice, "I was wandering if I could wash your windows? " Annoyed, I briskley said no thanks, but I fumbled in my wallet for a couple of bucks to send him on his way. But as he slowly took the money he looked down at the ground and said, "well, I have full blown AIDs "and lifted his shirt slightly to show me some brown lesions that he said were Shingles. "If I can wash your windows maybe someone else would see me and want theirs done too." Then without further adieu, he explained that he wasn't looking for sympathy and rattled off a few more details about his existence, the shelters and community health organizations that he availed himself of. I was struck by his intelligence and humble, sincere demeanor. I asked what he charged and he said once he had taken as little as 30 cents for a job. He explained that one place he liked to stay charged $7.50 a night which he compared to what $70.00 a night would be for me. I dug in my wallet again and gave him the balance for a night's rest with a roof over his head.
We spoke a few more moments and I relented, saying Okay, he could wash the windows. It just so happened that this past weekend while watering my lawn my car had gotten hit by the spray and there were streams of unsightly hard water marks coursing down the windows. I went to the car wash but, to my dismay the stains had remained. When I got home I dutifully got some paper towels and Windex and with some elbow grease thown in attempted to remove said stains... to no avail. But Eddie, as I learned his name was, said the secret was water and some newspaper. I kiddingly remarked that he would be my hero if he removed those stains... and he replied ," no mamn,... Jesus is your hero. "
I watched him for a moment more and assured that he wasn't doing any damage went into the office to attack my salad. I wandered when he ate last and dug out another 5 bucks and took it out to him as he labored ever so conscientuosly, sweating profusely in the hot Florida sun. He was very grateful and so was I. My windows sparkled. I was moved. I realised it was I who had received a gift. It is all too easy in this crazy world we live , to forget the many blessings we possess without such stark contrast, I am ashamed to admit. I thanked him and wished him good luck as I handed him some additional loose change I had found and said I would remember him in my prayers ..and I will.