Posted by Warren
(Originally posted on "Longrange" for Christmas 2004)
4:00 am 12/24/04
There was a knock on my front door which startled me awake. My dogs
were barking which required my dire threats to quieten them as I
answered the door.
Maybe you have heard of our weather and the unusually cold temperatures
and large amount of snow that has fallen in the last 24 hours. I live
just south of Interstate 64 in Southern Indiana and you may have seen
the news about the closed Interstate and stranded motorists on the
national news.
A man in his early fifties, about my own age, stood at the door. He was
wearing tennis shoes, jeans, a field jacket and sock hat. His glasses
were frosted and his pale white hands and reddened knuckles gave
witness that he wore no gloves.
He told me he was lost and asked for directions to a certain address. I
told him that he missed his mark by a mile and a half and asked him
where his car was. He said he was walking.
I invited him in and sat a chair for him by the warm air from the
furnace vent. He was shivering uncontrollably and a faint whiff of
alcohol was on his breath. I asked if I could fix him something to eat
but he refused and accepted a hot cup of coffee.
My wife talked to him as he warmed himself and I could hear him speaking as I prepared his fresh coffee.
My son heard his voice and came into the living room to sit and listen, and to watch, just in case.
His story unfolded.
He was homeless veteran, he had been sleeping in a box, under a bridge
over the Ohio river, several miles to the West. He had decided that it
was too cold and he might freeze to death if he didn't find safe
shelter with more than a cardboard box to keep him warm. About
midnight, he had left his meager possessions and headed for his sisters
home, a mile or so from my own home. He had walked past in the blowing
snow and the dark but continued walking. He was lost, confused and
probably somewhat drunk. Hypothermia can add confusion to even the
sober mind.
As he spoke, I realized that he had mental problems as do many of the homeless.
There are places that provide refuge for the indigent, I'm sure he
knew, but they don't accept anyone who is intoxicated, which I'm also
sure he knew.
He drank his coffee then asked me if I would drive him to his sisters
home. He then offered me two dollars. Of course I refused the money but
offered to take him where he wanted to go.
I intended to take measures to see after him and he seemed anxious to leave.
As I drove, he told me that his sister was out of town but he had
permission to use her house in an emergency. I was worried that he was
just lying for reasons of his own but I was determined to see the thing
through, even if I had to call the police to ensure his well-being
through this cold weather.
As we drove up to the house, there was a porch light on and smoke
coming from the chimney vent. Even so, it was apparent that there was
no one home, the snow around the house was undisturbed.
I asked him if he was sure he could get in, he said, "Yes, she (his
sister) told me where the key is." He reached out his hand, as if for a
hand shake, and when I offered mine, pulled my hand to his lips and
kissed it saying, "God bless you".
I was profoundly embarrassed but stayed long enough to see him dig
around in the snow and find a key, unlock the door and wave goodbye.
I drove home, my thoughts disturbed, by the events that had taken place.
My (now departed 1st) wife was relieved as I returned and I started preparing food (very
early,) for Christmas Eve. As I cut up fruit for salad and prepared the
turkey for baking, my son came up behind me, hugged me and kissing my
head, said, "Dad, you did a good thing."
Again, I was embarrassed, not by my son's hug and kiss but by his praise.
It was the right thing to do.
My son told me that he tries to help the homeless ones that hang around
his place of employment. We spoke of how little we can actually do for
them and I was proud of my son for being a good man and doing the right
thing.
As I continued to prepare food for Christmas Eve, my thoughts drifted
to a couple seeking shelter in Bethlehem and the birth of the Lamb of
the New Covenant, and I felt God's Peace.
May God's Peace and blessings be with you all!
Merry Christmas.
Warren
Post Note:
First, please watch "Mary, Did You Know?" as performed by the Pentatonix, an a capella group. I hope that you love it as much as I do:
====
Twenty years ago, I first posted this true story -yes it actually
happened- and I am always asked to brush the cobwebs off and re-post it
for Christmas. The post note is changed to reflect my feelings and
events.
"Mary, Did You Know?" by the Pentatonix, is my favorite Christmas Carol.
If you haven't heard this version before or if you would like to hear
it again, I urge you to put on your headphones or good speakers and have
a listen.
Once again, and to all my friends -and you know who you are!-
Merry Christmas!
Warren and AOW
