Today started out as most... woke up, took shower, got dressed, went and got an $8 cup of coffee from coffee shop and headed up to the fish store. Picked up a couple corals and a Nem. nothing special here...
On my way home I had to get gas for my car. While I was pumping gas, I saw a young man going car to car asking for spare change. I watched him turned down by one after another and another... Something about this young man drew me... When he approached me, I was ready with a couple dollars I had in my pocket, which I typically don't carry. It's a plastic world today after all...
When he asked me if I had any change and I reached into my pocket, I saw his eyes alight with a true appreciation.
I looked at him, and what I saw was not the eyes of a drug addict, alcoholic or lazy person who would rather beg than earn a living. He was dirty, and looked much the worse for wear, but he was plainspoken and intelligent.
I spent a few minutes talking to him and learned he was an ex-Marine who's wife had left him while he was deployed. He had no family, no place to go. I gave him 20$ and took him to the truckstop a few miles away, paid for him to get a shower and do his laundry. I treated him to lunch and just spent a couple hours talking to him.
This young man, who could be my son in age, taught me more about life in those few hours than my own almost 50 years have taught me since it started.
Edit: Freedom is NOT free!! It is paid for with the blood of those who will never be here to enjoy it!!!
