His Name Is Dan

I was walking through the downtown this afternoon, looking in the windows, shopping at a few stores and getting those few last minute things that we all seem to want right before Christmas. Wearing a nice warm Blue Jays coat, a Team Canada hat, and a scarf I made my way to the bus stop. Before stopping at the bus shelter though I was about to make a bee line for the Tim Hortons when I saw him. He was huddled up against a wall, holding tight to himself. His jacket was stained, filthy and torn, his pants were much the same and his gloves were a make shift finger out style. He was unshaven, and rather dirty and in his frost bitten and wind torn hands he held a cardboard sign asking for spare change for food. My heart sank. I felt bad for him and I didn't even know who he was but I was going to find out. I watched for a few minutes as the people rushed by him with their expensive gifts and brand name clothes. They walked right past him, almost afraid to look at him for fear he might dirty them with his eyes. It sickened me that nobody bothered to throw him a nickel at the time of the year where we are supposed to be most helpful.

I made the short walk to the Tim Hortons. I ordered two bowls of chili, two donuts and two large double doubles. With my bag of hot food, donuts and tray of two coffees I headed over to him. I stopped in front of him and said "Hi, my name is Derry, do you mind if I sit here with you?". He looked stunned, I don't think he knew what to say but I heard him say "sure kid, have a seat". I pulled up beside him and took a seat on a small section of his cardboard sheet. I then opened my bad and told him I had a bowl of chili and a donut for him and then handed him the coffee too. He was speechless. For the next 15 mins we ate in silence. He was almost ashamed to eat in front of me. He tried to use manners but sheer hunger got the better of him. I just looked away so as not to embarass him. When he was done I asked his name and he said his name was Dan. I told him that I thought the people who passed by him were cruel for not caring enough to even stop and he said he was used to it.

Over the course of the next hour I learned he had family in Kingston, that he was once a very able carpenter and that he lost his job and then took very sick and never recovered. He was single and had no children and his parents were deceased. He has a sister who wont talk to him and cousins who don't care about him. I told him that I was battling cancer and that I was once deaf. We talked about family, the holiday season and the simple acts of kindness.

When we were done, I shook his hand and told him I would look for him again. He said he would like that. I also told him that I would bring him some Christmas dinner on the 25th if he was still here. I told him I would bring it to him and stay until he finished and that way he could spend Christmas with someone he knew instead of spending it alone in a shelter with other people. He seemed touched by my offer. I left him speechless. I left feeling full in my heart.

Random acts of kindness. The ability to see past the exterior and touch someone who needs it most. Its not the gifts, the wrapping, the commercialism. Its the spirit of the season, and supporting your fellow human beings. Christmas for me is about paying it forward and giving back when you have been given so very much yourself.

His name is Dan, and I wont ever forget that.

LiveSTRONG!