I was approached yesterday by a woman who said she was sleeping in her car...

[demmiblue]

due to being a victim of domestic abuse (boyfriend in jail, shunned by family).

I don't usually carry cash, so she went on to someone else.

I felt bad and called to her asking if she would like for me to buy her something to eat at the fast food restaurant across the parking lot. On the walk over, we shared a little bit of our lives with each other. She was very appreciative. And honestly, it felt really, really good to be able to do something like that for another human being, especially given all the hate that I have witnessed during the election season. I don't really have the means to give much of anything to anybody, even though I desperately wish I could (ACLU, SPLC, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, the Humane Society, Doctors without Borders, etc... le sigh).

Giving a gift to others is also giving a gift to ourselves. Sure you may be scammed, but if they are that desperate, why not give them the benefit of the doubt? We are all in this together. We are all connected.


(This was my response to a hidden OP. Since I took the time to write it, I think I will take the time to post it! )

[Kali]

1. ...

[DesertFlower]

2. i give to planned parenthood, doctors without borders,

Last edited Mon Nov 28, 2016, 12:05 AM - Edit history (1)

feeding america, st. mary's food bank, meals on wheels, etc.

i learned about feeding america from DU many years ago. because i gave them a hefty amount i got a thank you phone call. she asked how i learned about feeding america and i told her it was through DU. i think it was called second harvest back then.

my hairdresser is 1/2 black. he husband and toddler son are black. someone in her neighborhood put a confederate flag on their car.

[Fla Dem]

3. You are a good person with a big heart!

I have a feeling we'll be needing a lot more people like you in the years ahead.

[mopinko]

4. i never used to give to the homeless.

first, because i got scammed pretty good when i moved to the big city. i swallowed stories hook, line and sinker, then half and hour later did the big DOH!
but also as the child of an alcoholic, it is really hard for me to do anything that might enable another family's pain.

but someone i care about softened me up on it. sometimes i drop a buck w the regulars that i pass, but mostly look out for homeless women. i also try harder to add a kind word to the buck.

the other night i stopped at the gas station a couple blocks from my house. an older woman was lurking around, usually they catch you coming out with your change in your hands.
when i came back out, i heard crying.
as she approached me, i could see the tears were real.
sadly, i only had a few bucks in cash, but i emptied my wallet.

i asked her- sister, how did you end up here?
she said she had nowhere to stay, and needed another $10 for the night at a rooming house.

then i asked if she wanted a hug. as she moved in for it, her sobs broke open.
we hung on to each other for a minute, i told her i was sorry i didnt have more to give her. she thanked my for both the money and the hug.

even tho i had a moment or 2 the next day, wondering if i had been had, i decided it didnt matter. if i hug a dozen con artists, but i also hug one woman in actual dire straights, well, that is how it works. many on the edge turn to a hustle, and there are many on the edge in this city.

but that hug felt damn good.

[lunatica]

5. You're right

Never let the takers dictate your heart.