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(download mp3)By Ayanna Heaven, YR Atlanta
I have always had a soft spot for the homeless. So when a homeless man recently approached me asking for food, I felt a little bad when I answered "sorry, no.” I continued listening to my iPod, watching him from the corner of my eye. And when he came walking back in my direction, I decided to ask him about his story and how he ended up on the streets.
He explained that a hip replacement took him off course financially. I was inspired by his optimism, especially when he told me that even though his stomach was hungry, his spirit was full with faith and he knew that would get through this difficult time in his life.
I felt privileged to talk to him and learn about him, and I’m pretty sure he enjoyed talking to me too. In fact he told me he had goose bumps from just talking to me, which made me think he probably doesn’t have many opportunities to speak to people on a regular basis.
The next day, I returned to the same spot and surprised the man with two public transportation tickets and some food, along with an address of a homeless shelter I knew could help him out. I know many people assume that the homeless are lazy drug addicts, but if more people could take the time to really interact with homeless people, they may find something different.
