living on the street 8/16/2010

Today is August 16, 2010,  Monday
We all walk a fine line of having and have not..just some of us don't realize it.  We are all just one step away from poverty and good health, hopefully you will enjoy a life free from poverty and with good health.
I went out with my daughter Alexa tonight. We drove up to Burger King, and as we did we passed this gentleman, who I have seen on numerous occassions just walking the streets.  I spoke to my daughter about him, how I thought he was homeless. You know the type, long scraggly hair and beard. Dirty looking.  I would tell you he has had on the same clothes for weeks.  He looks familiar to me..I have seen him before.  I tell my daughter this and she doesn't believe me.  I know it is him..I remember him as a child growing up with me.  We went to elementary school together, he lived around the block.  Like I said I have seen him several times, and I have always tried to look for him to give him food or money, but have always failed.until tonight.  After our trip through Burger King..he was still walking on Middle Country Road. We tried to get to him..to give him a couple of bucks..when we got close to him he went the other way.  Finally we crossed paths..my daughter was scared, scared that he would cause us harm. She wanted no part of this, she thought I was crazy. But we stopped, and rolled down the window.  I said "excuse me", he looked over and then down at the ground, and replied "me"?  I said "I want to give you this" and handed him five dollars.  I thought he was going to cry, I was going to cry..to think one of my childhood schoolmates down and out. My daughter was in awe, very happy that she did this with me.  Even though I live paycheck to paycheck....$5 I am sure meant the world to him.  As I said to my daughter, I don't know how he will spend it..maybe food maybe beer..whatever he chooses, we did something tonight for another human being. She had never noticed him before, but I am sure she will now.