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Tuesday 3 June 2014

Life's surprises

Today, when I was out, it was raining really hard.  It wasn't cold but it was very wet, and as I was waiting for the bus, I saw a woman, in a winter coat, dripping water, all her belongings in bags around her, lying on the top of a wall outside Chapters.  Something about her really hit me, and I was trying to think what I could do for her.

I had a Tim's card with some credit on it in my bag, and I went over to give it to her, but she was sleeping.  I thought I would just leave the card on her chest, but as soon as I got close to her, she screamed and jumped up, and I screamed and jumped away.  The people waiting for the bus were mostly embarrassed, but I was in agony---she was shaking, but asking me if I was all right.

Eventually, after learning protocol for the homeless, which includes no sneaking up, and no touching, I was able to give her the card and she told me she was going to have a coffee and one of those donuts with the cream.

We were both pleased. 

I just received a note from Tim Horton's telling me my card has just been automatically topped up, as I requested.  I don't know if I'm pleased with myself or annoyed with myself, but I'll wait a few days before I cancel the automatic top-up.  I hope she tries a couple of the new sandwiches.

2 comments:

  1. Good for you, Lorna. It was and is a wonderful gesture.

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  2. Yes it is. What we can do, small things or not, let us do.

    ReplyDelete