A cup of coffee

Generally, I walk by anyone asking for something of me on the street. It's a very private and un-confrontational way to live life. No one talks to me, I don't have to acknowledge their existence. Today was different.

I had a bit of time to kill before meeting a contractor and I was craving coffee. Walking up the street to the Starbucks, I passed a man seated on the stoop of the backdoor to the building in which the venue is located. He politely asked me for a cup of coffee and my rote reply came out, "Not today".

As I stood in line, waiting my turn, I thought about what a habit it is to just say no to those people that attempt to acquire something from me on the street. I also realize that, if I were in his position, I would appreciate someone spending $1.50 for a cup of coffee for me.

Who knows if he really wanted coffee; I never will. Selfishly, I enjoyed the feeling it brought to my day. I do not know if that feeling should even be there. I did not gloat about what I did, except, maybe you, my reader, feels that I am gloating now. I did enjoy the warmth and good feeling it brought to me the rest of the day, knowing I helped someone. Is that bad? I would argue, no. Who really knows? Maybe it is. Maybe the warmth I felt was from the coffee, or maybe I just did a good thing and karma is smiling on me. Either way, I plan to pass it on.

The Unfamiliar Path

When you develop a habit or method to life, bifurcating that path becomes the worst event. Learning how to deal with those times can become a great attribute. I strive every day to be more amenable to such events, and every day more are thrown at me. I will prevail. I will learn. I will grow. I will always struggle - while smiling. I accept the challenge.

A smile

My street has been under construction for at least the past year. Sidewalks, water pipes, curb restructuring and it probably will not end until the city gives it a new hair-do. With all the holes and bumps that are being repaired they have added to the confusion by placing odd walkways that wind through the mess bordered by fencing with the green tarps. I assume this is to keep the secret of how beautiful it will eventually become.

As I was maneuvering my way through the onslaught of make-shift ramps and sandbags (apparently used to weigh down the fences, but the sand is never in them and the fences are often toppled, so I am not sure as to their success) I spy a man in a wheelchair coming toward me. Instinctively, I look for a spot to stand aside so he can pass with ease. I smile to him as he approaches and sees me plastered to the tarp-wrapped fence. He smiles back and says, "You keep moving, son, they have created quite an obstacle course here. If I can't make it past you, I'll probably fall in a hole or get my wheel caught on a fence post. Whatever happens, it's an adventure and I'm having fun."

As I slide past him, he begins to whistle a tune of which I am not familiar. A big smile comes over my face about two feet past and I realize, he just made my day. In a life full of obstructions, a man that has faced many more than me, showed me that the best way to get through them is to enjoy it. I will never know his name, but the smile he gave me will be in my memory forever.