"Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?"

I stopped at WalMart on my way home from work tonight for some quick groceries and was approached by a lady with her two children who looked to be about 9 and 13. They were asking for money for food. The son, who seemed about 9 years old, was helping to translate what sounded like Hindu to English for his mother.  The daughter, who was about 13, kept her eyes averted away from me.  Part of me thought "oh man... "another beggar scam asking me to share my hard earned money", while, thankfully, the other side of me said "who am I to judge if this request is honest".

I offered them a box of granola bars that I had just bought, assuming they would just chuck it aside since it wasn't the money for which they asked. To my surprise and self shame, the mother had that box opened before I could pull out of my spot and was divvying up the granola bars for her kids, saving one for herself. The scene almost haunted me as I pulled away, knowing that my own kids would never even miss the box of granola bars.  Before I left the parking lot my heart and conscious brought me to my senses and turned me around to find them once more.  Lowering my car window, I reached out to give this needy family some money.  The mother looked at me as only a mother could, making eye  contact; mother to mother.  Quietly, she said the most sincere "thank you".  It nearly broke my heart.


As I drove home with my milk, bread, and Hostess Ding Dongs, the scene which had unraveled before me slowly started to sync in... the desperate plea of a mother, the gentle inquiry of a young boy, and the averted eyes of teenage girl who seemed to want to hide from life's circumstances.


May we all find room in our hearts to be grateful for all we have and remember to share with others what ever we can without judgment or question.