I was unexpectedly invited to my buddy’s new house a couple of days ago. He didn’t have any Christmas lights up and his lawn wasn’t exactly perfectly manicured, and no he didn’t live in one of the new developments in town but his home was in somewhat of a gated community. A gated community of one, that is.
His name is James, aka “Red”. You see, Red is one of my homeless friends that lives in the sump area of a local park. I’ve known Red for about a year now and I make a point to see him about once or twice a week to offer him a little bit more than just a word of encouragement. He is definitely a man that’s still holding on to a bit of his pride and dignity. He’s not the stand-on-the-corner-and-beg type, however he has had to call me a time-or-two looking for a nudge in the right direction.
This day was special because after dropping off some select items from my pantry and storage closet for the winter, Red invited me to his home for the first time. He was a bit excited about showing me his new tent that was donated to him. This was especially exciting for him because his previous tent failed to prevent water from paying him an unwelcomed visit during last week’s rain. I was equally as excited as I grabbed my trusty little camera and snapped a few shots and headed toward the railroad tracks for the short journey to his gated community. Upon arrival we didn’t have to punch-in any code to gain entry, but I did have to literally get down on my hands and knees to climb through a 2 x 2 feet opening in a chain-link fence.
Once inside the area I noticed that it’s a huge sump, which is an area with a HUGE whole in the ground that’s designed specifically to collect extra run-off water from the surrounding neighborhood area to prevent flooding. I dusted myself off and headed on over to his palace. His Datsun-Chihuahua mix dog “Chubbs” excitedly led the way. After unloading the goods at his house, we shared a little more small-talk then we both parted ways feeling a little bit better after our encounter.
I must admit that I believe there are few feelings better than the one that comes after being kind to who my favorite book refers to as, “The Least of These.” I don’t pretend to know what tomorrow holds for my friend Red, but I do know that today once again he saw the face of one who is trying to follow in the footsteps of the guy who shook up the world two thousand years ago. In fact I’m told that his birthday is just days away. 😉
Creative Kindness is what I call it, and there are sooooo many ways we can all be the hands and feet and the mouth that speaks words of encouragement and hope for a better tomorrow. I invite you to take action in some way either big or small on a regular basis to shine a light that brightens someone’s day in a special, creative way. When local organizations fall a bit short, can we count on you to be there to pick-up just a little bit of the slack in your community? Hmmm…
Don’t miss your opportunity to make this “good” life, “GREAT!”
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Order it Today at: www.MakeItGreatNOW.com
Book Signing Event at Russo’s Bookstore in The Market Place @ 9000 Ming Ave. 1pm – 3pm on December 30th, 2012
