Meet David

David is a Veteran of the Vietnam war

While I was doing some holiday browsing I had just left a gaming store parallel to a Walmart parking lot, where David asked me for change. He said that he was hungry and like most people, I wasn't carrying any cash with me. I told him I didn't have any loose bills and that it's a grim place where people don't carry cash on them anymore. Instead I asked if he would like me to drive him to the Taco Bell nearby to get him some food. He was set back when I offered, seemingly hopeful but apprehensive.

"Are you sure? Maybe I shouldn't ride in your car," He said.

I could see that he thought it would be conspicuous on his part to get in a young woman's vehicle. I convinced him I was perfectly ok taking him not a single minute up the street to get him some food and he agreed, noting that he wasn't dangerous because he was a veteran. He probably thanked me half a dozen times before we started walking.

On the way to my car I realized he wasn't keeping up; Looking back I saw that he was limping with a hand pressed to his knee. He told me that his leg wasn't very reliable and we took a good five minute walk to my car which might have been less than a hundred feet away. I couldn't imagine how he got around anywhere.

Once he sat down in the passengers seat he apologized for being drunk and said that he promised me he wasn't diseased or anything. I was shocked he had to assure me he wasn't some kind of infectious vessel; Diseased - is that how homeless people are made to feel? I replied that he wasn't the only person that would be drinking that evening. Most people drink with less reason to, anyway.

On the drive he told me how difficult it was for him to find a job and that he cleaned up better but all he had right now were the clothes on his back. By the time we pulled up to the restaurant he had begun sobbing and when I said he could order anything he wanted, he cried even harder. He didn't ask for anything in particular, he said whatever I ordered would be more than enough. When someone is that grateful to eat what could be described as a food-like meal, it makes you wonder what went wrong.

David said that a friend stole $10k from him, he was recently divorced and that his favorite hobby is riding motorcycles although he no longer has one anymore. He apologized again, this time for venting his life's story. Few people probably talk to David and even fewer probably want to know about his life's events, given that he was homeless. It didn't bother me, it was good for him to talk about what was on his mind. I offered David a ride into town but he said he would rather stay in his spot for the evening and when I left he incessantly thanked me for the help.

David was grateful for a favor which we wouldn't even think twice about had a friend picked up the check for us. A small act of humanity can give someone just enough hope to make it through the day or at least remind them what its like not to feel alienated, dangerous or "diseased." People need to see they have worth and that they're not alone. Instead of passively observing, try reaching out - what you might dismiss as a small courtesy might make someone else's day.