It was a below freezing day in January, around 4:30. I had just left Grandview. (One of my favorite things to do after school before a practice or rehearsal is to go get frozen yogurt and sit on Grandview. I just enjoy the views and let my stress melt away.) And I was stuck in traffic at a pretty busy light. Typically I don't really look around when I'm driving. I like to just focus and get where I need to go. But I did today for some reason. And as I looked I saw a man, he appeared to be in his mid 30’s. He was in a very light jacket and had a sign that said “anything helps.” Every few minutes he would hit his sign on the pole in front of him. I'm not sure if it was just a quirk or if it helped keep him warm while standing in one place. My heart sank. But I kept driving.
About a mile down the road there was a McDonald's. I only had a dollar left, but it was enough for a warm hot chocolate. So I ordered and turned around. He was in a busy area - there was nowhere to park, so I parked a ways away and jogged to him, carefully holding the hot chocolate in my right hand. As I approached, he didn't meet my gaze. I think he was afraid I would be intimidated and assumed I was just walking by. But I stopped and just looking into his eyes, I felt stupid and ignorant for ever being ungrateful for anything in my life. All I could stutter out was “I got this for you.”
What he said I will never forget. “Young lady, what is your name?” his eyes were the bluest and kindest I have ever seen.
“Jessie.” I stupidly mumbled.
“Jessie,” he said, “my name is Todd. You should be wearing a coat it's freezing out here.”
“I’m more concerned about you.”
“Thank you for this. It means more than you know, but you should really have a coat on.” He kept telling me.
I said you're welcome and he thanked me again. And then I turned and instantly tears started rolling down my cheeks. I got back to my car and just cried. And I wondered why? Why does he have to stand in this weather begging for help while I get my own car for free and my own snacks before I go back to my great school to participate in an activity I love to do?
And I don't know. I don't know why I get to live in a nice house with my nice family and he is alone. But I know that when I drove away and saw Todd with the cup open, using the steam as warmth on his face, I realized that it doesn't matter. I am alive and so is he. And we shared a moment where it didn't matter where he lived or what he owned. We were just two people, helping each other, learning from each other. And that is something I will never forget.
If I saw him again I think I would be the one thanking him, for teaching me that there is so much more to being a good person than what you own or who you know. So you're welcome, Todd. And thank YOU.
