I shouted for my mom and brother to wait up ahead of us as my dad digged in his pocket for some lose change. As my dad handed me a little change, I ran back to the man on the side of the street. Will he try to talk to me? As I approached him, I had butterflies in my stomach; I was scared to talk to such a stranger. I said, “here” and showed him the money that was for him. I smiled as I saw such appreciation and compassion cover his face. He gladly reached his hand out to accept my money, and then he said, “thank you sunshine, god bless you.” I still remember the words today, they float about in my mind every now and then, and I like to think that kind man is in a better place in his life. That what I gave him helped him somehow, that maybe he bought a sandwich, or a shirt, or even a box of cigarettes. But is it too much to hope that I made a difference in his life?
Photo by Julia Martinez