Well, I was planning to write the past few days but a couple days ago, I sliced my finger open on the back blade of hubby's stupid razor. That's what I get for cleaning up the bathroom I guess. Now that it's finally healed enough for me to hit the e and d buttons, I can write again! Ok so here is what I would have written a few days ago since I'm sure there are tons of people on the edge of their seats.
I went to see my mom a few days ago and after talking for a little while, we decided that if I'm going to be trying to get a more professional job when we get to NC, I probably needed a haircut to look a little more professional. She also did my makeup for me. After she finished, I went to get my first haircut in almost 2 years. They washed my hair and it felt amazing, then the lady listened to me very well and left most of the length for me. My mom could barely tell and Alex didn't notice for several hours but it does look much healthier and feels much lighter to me. It was actually probably a good 3 inches off, which it needed and it feels much better now.
I went back home and showed my mom and felt really good on my way back to Alex's dad's house where we have been staying. I turned the music up really loud and let the windows down since it was such a nice day. I was feeling great as I got off the interstate. At the end of the ramp, I saw someone cross the street. Then I pulled up to the light and a man with an army hat and a sign reading "Homeless. Will work for food." walked up to my door and saluted me, probably due to all of the Marine Corps stickers on my car. It broke my heart. I realize that, often, these can be scams but what about the people who are just down on their luck? What about the guys who really did serve their country and this is how they have been repaid? I've been cautioned not to give homeless people money because you aren't sure that they will use it for food, I didn't have any cash, and I don't have any work to give to people. But I did want to help so I drove down to Burger King and brought back 5 double cheeseburgers and a couple water bottles. But he was gone. I went searching up and down the road but could not find him. It may sound crazy but I believe sometimes angels are sent in disguise to remind us of some of our values that we lose sight of. It's so easy to get caught up in our problems that we don't see how much worse it could be and we forget that each person we meet is fighting their own battle. We assume that every homeless person is doing drugs or a drunk when maybe we should be giving the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they were laid off in this rough economy, maybe they've been through some tragedy. So many times, we are calloused, when all people need is a little compassion. So I am adding this to my list. As I work on getting my new life started in Jacksonville, I will attempt to find ways to show a little more kindness to strangers. If all the world did it, it couldn't do anything but help, right? Have a super fantastic great day!
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Aw, this post definitely tugged at my heart strings :) I see homeless people around here all the time and I think the same things you did...what if they really do need help and are trying to get their lives together? My husband did security for a homeless shelter a few years ago, and there was one couple that had a little baby, so they weren't allowed to stay at the shelter. My husband brought them to a hotel to stay somewhere warm for the night, and he got repremanded by his superiors for doing it. All he was doing was showing some compassion. I was really upset by that whole thing because we need more people like him, and you, in this world. I think it was a really awesome gesture for you to go grab some burgers and water for the homeless man. We need more of that kindness, especially in today's society. Haha, sorry I rambled, it just got me thinking :)
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