This morning during my walk I had the good fortune of meeting someone I have been wanting to cross paths with for sometime. I had seen this elderly gentleman before. A few months ago he was collecting cans and bottles from the recycle bins behind my house. I was shocked to see this and saddened by the fact that he had to do this to survive. I thought about putting bottles in a bag for him with a note attached saying that the bag was for him to take, but then thought it may not be the best idea from a safety standpoint. So I let it go. One rainy day in the spring I saw him again riding his bike with bags of bottles attached to his backpack and handle bars. My heart sank. I felt powerless thinking I could never connect with him. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw him again in another alley just around the corner from the green space I was headed to. I walked over to him and managed to whisper a very quiet "Hi." I was a little apprehensive. I had never approached anyone like this before. His back was turned to me and he didn't reply. I decided it was because he didn't want to be disturbed. So I kept walking. And then I remembered the big bag of cans and bottles we had all collected from our west coast trip. "He can have those!", I thought. I walked back over to him. I told him if he waited
there I could get him some more bottles. He said, "That would be very much appreciated." I came back in 5 minutes and there he was in the shade waiting. I handed the bag to him and apologized that it wasn't much. And then with another large bright smile he said, " Every little bit
helps. Thanks so much. And, have a great day." I wished him a great day as well and resumed my walk feeling a little lighter in my step. Thank you Service Space and Kindspring for the inspiration to do what
the heart has always said to do.