I love my neighborhood.
I feel safe walking at night.
I went up to the local drugstore,
open 24 hours,
and saw Bryant again,
a man on the street
I met around Thanksgiving.
He said, “I remember you!
You gave me a whole cooked chicken!
Man, that was good!”
I said, “I know,
I got one for me too.”
He was chilled and shivering,
nose was running,
but smiling
with his kind eyes.
I asked if he needed anything,
He said, “No, I’m fine.”
I asked “Are you sure?”
He said,
“Yeah, I’m great no worries.”
I asked if he’d be in the parking lot when I came out.
He said ‘Yes.’
I got some cash when I checked out
and went out to give it to him.
I laughed out loud when I saw
a line,
a little line of people,
waiting,
to give Bryant money.
Ha!
And we were all waiting,
because when someone helps Bryant,
Bryant wants to take the time
to make each one of us
feel appreciated.
Then a man comes out of the market.
He told us we were idiots!
He said,
“This guy is just cleaning up!”
“Get a job!” he yelled at Bryant.
I was last in line,
nearest to the grouch,
and he said to me as he walked off,
“You know he’s taking all of you, don’t you?”
And I said, “No.
He’s giving to all of us.
We’re all just running one more errand in a day
and Bryant gives us the chance
to feel like we’re giving something
that means something
to someone.
He remembers each one of us,
He gives us his kindness,
and
best of all,
he makes each one of us
feel appreciated.
When have you bought so much
for a couple of bucks?”
I’d like to say I reached this cranky man,
and he joined us in line,
But that didn’t happen.
I did however,
get a little round of applause,
from we who found it worth the wait
and the spare change,
to feel we gave something meaningful,
to be remembered,
to receive such kindness
from our neighbor temporarily without a home,
and best of all,
to feel
our presence mattered today.
Thank you, Bryant.
If
you
ask
me,
you’re not charging enough!
thevoicethatguides 