The Journey of Life
Today when I was out getting some food I noticed a huge line of african american people. I was confused to see what they were all waiting in line for. It was cold and these people were waiting for something. I thought it must be something good because I would never be waiting outside in the cold for nothing. I decided I needed to check what was going on. I came around the corner and I noticed a huge billboard with a sign that said World's highest standard of living, these no way like the american way. On the sign was also a picture of a family with two kids and a dog, they are all in a car and seem to be going on a trip, everyone is happy. These people are waiting in line because they want to live the american way, a better life.
When I left and started back on my way home I decided to take a shortcut between the alley and cross through the african american community. I notice that so many of these people are not living the life that many of us white people are living. They are not getting enough money to have a good house for their own families. It brought me to tears when I walked by one of the huts and notice an old man with what looked to be his daughter. They both had raggedy old jackets that barely kept out the cold. They were definitely homeless and without a family to love, it was only them. They both were huddled together to try and keep warm as much as they could. I bet they were also quite hungry. My heart was in shock that a father could not provide enough money so that he and his daughter could live in a warm home.
When I got home that night I thought to myself why was that man and his daughter not in the lineup where all the other african american people were. Why they were the only two people left at the community. I decided I needed to find out what was happening to this father and daughter, so I went out to look for them.
When I got to the camp I heard them talking in the background and I decided to listen in on what they were saying. The little girl said to her father “daddy i’m hungry” and the father replied back with “Well sweetie let’s go and look for some food on the streets. I could feel my heart hit the ground as I heard that they don’t have and food to eat. I knew that I needed to help. I went and ran over to them and asked if everything was ok. “We are doing fine, just a little hungry” “Well can I help you guys with getting a good meal.” “If you would be so kind, that would be so nice of you.” “I’d love too.”
So we went to the nearest restaurant and I let them buy whatever they wanted. They were having a blast. I have never seen someone so happy to see food in front of them. So I asked them when it was the last time they had eaten a real meal. “It was about a month ago, ever since we have just scavenged the streets.” I asked why and what happen that you live on the street now. “Well I used to own my own company and life was great. We used to have a wife- mom and see got really sick. She never recovered. We spent all the money we had, whatever we could to help get her thought but nothing worked and she passed. After that I could not keep the company afloat and I went bankrupt and now we are on the street.” “I am so sorry to hear that if there is anything I can do to help let me know.” “What you have done today is plenty.” so I thought for a bit of what I could do and offered them something. “Can I buy you a meal twice a week.” “No you don’t have to.” “Yes I want to it’s the least I can do.”
10 years later
We are still meeting twice a week and our relationship is strong. The man and daughter I once found ten years ago now have a house and a job. They are living a wonderful life. And I can’t believe that I was able to see them push through their struggles and get back to the life they had before.
Today when I was out getting some food I noticed a huge line of african american people. I was confused to see what they were all waiting in line for. It was cold and these people were waiting for something. I thought it must be something good because I would never be waiting outside in the cold for nothing. I decided I needed to check what was going on. I came around the corner and I noticed a huge billboard with a sign that said World's highest standard of living, these no way like the american way. On the sign was also a picture of a family with two kids and a dog, they are all in a car and seem to be going on a trip, everyone is happy. These people are waiting in line because they want to live the american way, a better life.
When I left and started back on my way home I decided to take a shortcut between the alley and cross through the african american community. I notice that so many of these people are not living the life that many of us white people are living. They are not getting enough money to have a good house for their own families. It brought me to tears when I walked by one of the huts and notice an old man with what looked to be his daughter. They both had raggedy old jackets that barely kept out the cold. They were definitely homeless and without a family to love, it was only them. They both were huddled together to try and keep warm as much as they could. I bet they were also quite hungry. My heart was in shock that a father could not provide enough money so that he and his daughter could live in a warm home.
When I got home that night I thought to myself why was that man and his daughter not in the lineup where all the other african american people were. Why they were the only two people left at the community. I decided I needed to find out what was happening to this father and daughter, so I went out to look for them.
When I got to the camp I heard them talking in the background and I decided to listen in on what they were saying. The little girl said to her father “daddy i’m hungry” and the father replied back with “Well sweetie let’s go and look for some food on the streets. I could feel my heart hit the ground as I heard that they don’t have and food to eat. I knew that I needed to help. I went and ran over to them and asked if everything was ok. “We are doing fine, just a little hungry” “Well can I help you guys with getting a good meal.” “If you would be so kind, that would be so nice of you.” “I’d love too.”
So we went to the nearest restaurant and I let them buy whatever they wanted. They were having a blast. I have never seen someone so happy to see food in front of them. So I asked them when it was the last time they had eaten a real meal. “It was about a month ago, ever since we have just scavenged the streets.” I asked why and what happen that you live on the street now. “Well I used to own my own company and life was great. We used to have a wife- mom and see got really sick. She never recovered. We spent all the money we had, whatever we could to help get her thought but nothing worked and she passed. After that I could not keep the company afloat and I went bankrupt and now we are on the street.” “I am so sorry to hear that if there is anything I can do to help let me know.” “What you have done today is plenty.” so I thought for a bit of what I could do and offered them something. “Can I buy you a meal twice a week.” “No you don’t have to.” “Yes I want to it’s the least I can do.”
10 years later
We are still meeting twice a week and our relationship is strong. The man and daughter I once found ten years ago now have a house and a job. They are living a wonderful life. And I can’t believe that I was able to see them push through their struggles and get back to the life they had before.