On our way back to our car after enjoying a wonderful evening
with my family at the Wizards game --a wonderful Christmas gift from my
daughter, my wife and I came upon a group of homeless people all lined up on a
grate fast asleep covered in layers of matching blankets, probably given to
them by an organization or person in hopes of providing some comfort. It was a surreal
site to see them laying there in this metropolis as people walked by almost
oblivious to their existence. My heart sunk as I looked into their faces, eyes
tightly shut, smudged with dirt, free for a few hours from their reality before
they awoke to it again. Six human beings seemingly discarded, like broken
furniture that no longer served a purpose. I do not know what happened in their
life that led them to this point, what adversity or bad choice set them to this
path. I just knew that they were my brothers and sisters, human beings like me
and you and it hurt to see them like this.
I know how difficult life can be sometimes. Parkinson’s has taught me that, but I lead a
blessed life, held up by the love and support of friends and family. I wonder
if any of their lives would be different if the people in my life were in
theirs. Would they be sleeping on a grate with no place to call home? I don’t think so. At what point in their
lives would a word of encouragement, an intervention, or bit of guidance, or to
hear the words I love you perhaps for the first time from someone, possibly
change the course of their lives.
We can protect ourselves by choosing not to care to avoid
the hurt and sadness, overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems of other
people, or we can chose to do something. We can all make a difference in each other’s
life with a simple act of kindness like the matching blankets that at least
kept people warm that night.
From all of us who face adversity in life to all the people
who choose to be their brother’s and sister’s keeper, thank you for that
blanket of kindness.
I'm Pat Younts and I Move to Live.
