Pollution
I will let this picture speak for itself.
Christmas Eve
You know I have been a little short on stories lately. I believe you will find this a little off my beaten path, but don’t be thrown off by my opening. I have written in the past describing the poverty crisis our country is experiencing in recent times. My day to day encounters all over the country have allowed me the opportunity to have my eyes opened to the situation. I have written about how we as a population are depending way too much on our federal government to take of our every day needs. As matter of fact, I think people in general who know me were beginning to think I was a little coookee. You know in the head. Ah who knows maybe I am, but when you are faced with such an overwhelming situation on a daily basis it might tend to occupy your thoughts also.
I use to be annoyed by these people. As a matter of fact, they still annoy me to a degree, but I have learned to take pity on some over the last year. I can honestly say I have learned in the last year what it is like to be without a job, and not being able to find one. With a softened heart I have dealt with the situation in the past year differently than I have in the past. Instead of trying to ignore the beggars I listen to what they have to say and evaluate how I might can really help instead of pawning off hush money on them. This usually separates the real needy from the scam artist.
If a man walks up and says, "Hey man I’m hungry. You got any extra change?"
My reply will be, "No, but if you are really hungry we can go inside and I will get you something to eat."
I usually have to finish pumping my fuel and will tell them to meet me inside when I am done. All have disappeared up to this point except one. I took her and her husband in and fed them at a real table with real food. All they wanted was a hotdog, but I would not hear of it.
By now I am certain your saying, this sounds like the same old story, but you are wrong. First off my old stories were how I would scoff at some real needy folks. I have always had a big heart, but somewhere over time it had become harden due to repetitive nature of the situation. I would stand around and blame everyone else for the problem and I wasn’t willing to except my part in the blame.
Last night on Christmas Eve, I was rewarded for my endeavors. Mind you I do not do what I do for any kind of reward, but I did not know how to express it any other way except in this fashion. Last night I parked my truck like I normally do. No sooner than I finished parking when a van pulled up in front of my truck. My first thought was Jehovah’s witnesses. Then a lady popped out the passengers side and I knew immediately that my first assumption was wrong. My next thought was, Its Christmas Eve! What on earth are these people gonna want?
I felt guilty immediately when I spotted a five year girl plunge headfirst out of the back door of the van. She was wearing a big overcoat to protect herself from the wind driven rain. I rolled down my window as the little girl reached came to the drivers side of my truck. You must know that I am in a semi and my window is easily eight feet off the ground. Reaching to my window is not an easy feat for a tall man not to mention a short little five year old. I looked down on her I realized she was trying to hand me something. It turned out to be Christmas stocking full of little goodies packed inside. Her mother expressed, "We know you cant be home with your family tonight, but we want you to know we appreciate what you do. Merry Christmas and God bless you". I thanked them and they were off to my neighboring truck.
I was so dumb struck by the whole situation. To be point blank I am still dumbfounded. I can not express how much it meant to me to have that little five year old girl give me a Christmas stocking. So often we get caught in the business end of Christmas putting up the beautiful Christmas lights and hanging the colorful ornaments on the tree. We somehow forget the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas.
I hope you all have a Merry Christmas, and hope someone touches your heart like mine was touched.
East of Amarillo, TX
Plez do do adjust your computer this water tower really is leaning!
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