Dining With a Homeless Man

For the first time in my life, a man asked me out for supper and I said yes. Just jokes - he didn't ask me out to supper, he asked me for supper. It all began at Polo Park. I was at the bus stop about to head home when a homeless man approached me. I don't usually provide spare change, but after I said I didn't have any change he asked me to buy him some food. I've always said I would rather buy a hungry man a meal, than give him with money. In that moment I decided to put my words into action and say yes. His face lit up instantly and he nearly skipped as we walked towards the mall. Now I wouldn't normally advise a lone girl to buy a stranger a meal, but we were at Polo Park and you can't get much more public-setting than that.

As we walked to the second level, I learned the man's name was Peter. I asked him what kind of food he would like and I smiled as he exclaimed, "Chinese food!" However, once we ascended the escalator, he quickly ran over to Cultures. Not Chinese food, but I guess he would rather have that. Peter chose some corn, fresh fruit and chocolate milk. I found it funny that he turned down the partly-skimmed white milk because it wasn't homogenized. Hey, I'm fussy about certain foods too.

I asked if he would like me to sit with him, so I did. He was a very kind man and very harmless. I learned that he mainly took the bus from polo park to downtown. Sometimes he would visit the soup kitchens, and sometimes he would visit his family in the north end. He was struggling to find a job as I'm sure most homeless people do. I agreed that it was frustrating to look for a job, but the key was to keep trying. (It was horrible pep talk - anyone who has read my previous blog posts know how I handle job loss).

I also learned that Peter receives a welfare check every two weeks, so he does have a bit of help aside from the spare change or food he receives from strangers. It was enlightening to talk to Peter and see things from his perspective. I asked if it was alright if I prayed for him. He seemed okay with this, and I couldn't hold back my tears as I prayed for God's protection and love over him. Here was this man, homeless for whatever reason, not that different from you and me. When we take away our possessions, our titles and all of the things we take for granted, in the end we're just people.

The only thing I didn't give Peter was my phone number, I drew the line at that. But I was very humbled to spend time with him, as I had to push away my judgemental and selfish nature in order to do so. I believe God was showing me how to be selfless and look outside of myself. Extending God's love to those in need is something I should want to do. As Thanksgiving approaches, I can't help but reflect on all that I have to be thankful for. Others only dream about some of the things I have. As a society we've created these social barriers of interaction, but they can be easily removed if we only stop and take the time to listen. Like the old saying goes, it shouldn't be about what we can receive from others, but what we can give to others.

Musings of a Traveler: Not that Far to Go

Before you read this post, click to check out this complimentary Coldplay song:

I recently went on a road trip to Fargo,  North Dakota. I had researched maps and directions, bought travel insurance, and solicited friends and co-workers for tips. I packed my car and headed south with passport and coupons in hand.

Instead of relaying a third person account of my trip, I'm going to give you a first person narrative. Here is my trip in thought blurbs:

• Ah early morning and hours of driving into the unknown. Time to put "Wild Ones" and "Miss Independent" on loop?
• Oh my gosh, here's the border. I hope he doesn't search my car. Aw crap, the car ahead of me has kids - they will probably question the kids and ask if those are their actual parents - this will take a while. 
• Prayer answered, I got through the border smooth! Weird how he only asked me questions about being alone. He didn't ask how long I would be in the states, or how much money I had, or if I was carrying any food, animals or firearms.
• Woooo! Never driven this fast in my life. It's like playing leap frog on the interstate!
• Okay, so I've just taken a random exit into Grand Forks. What do their gas stations look like?
• Just going to pull up next to this pump. I'm a classy co-op member, I don't pump my own gas. Why are there five options? I think I want unleaded, but what's super unleaded? The superior choice? I don't know what to do. It's like choosing the wrong wire to disarm a bomb - my car could explode if I make the wrong choice.
• West Acres is pretty nice. Their service is really friendly. Never met people that excited about the price of Pump-Foam soaps before though. The men are very chilvarous. Twice, two guys went out of their way to hold open a door for me. This one guy had walked through, saw me coming and ran back to hold it open so I could walk through, and then apologized profusely for not being there. Were you previously employed as a butler? It was a nice gesture, albeit unnecessary.
• Wow, Loreal True Match Foundation is $8.50 at Target!
• That awkward moment, when you're shopping in TJ Maxx and you find a jersey that's your size and a dad comes over and picks out a jersey for his eight year old son a size down from the same rack.
• Yes! She let me buy the blazer off the mannequin! 
• This mom is calmly exclaiming "Marco" in the electronics section in Wal-Mart. She and her son Polo must have a secret system for communicating.
• Wow this Texas Roadhouse is busy. I'm going to go ask that host how long it will be for a table for 1. 

Host: It will be about a forty minute wait.

Me: Oh should I come back at like 9 or should I put my name on the waiting list.

Host: You could put your name on the list.

Me: Maybe I should just come back at 9.

Host: Are you here to eat?

Me: Yes (No I'm here to sweep your floor, why else would I be here?)

Host: Oh okay, yeah if you come back at 9 you'll get right in.

• Why are people eating peanuts while they wait. Oh that is a HUGE barrel of peanuts. Shells litter the wood floor everywhere! But the service is really friendly, and it seems genuine. Maybe they get paid more.

Server brings out steak: Would you like some A1 or 57 for your steak?

What I wanted to say: Excuse me R2-D2, but I don't speak robot, and no, I don't want to put a plane on my steak. (After asking Brittney to repeat herself 3 times, I found out it they were steak sauces). derp derp.

• This is the most uncomfortable sleep of my life. Right below sleeping in an igloo, because snow isn't falling onto my face every time I shift positions.
• Yay morning! Time to drive home. I'm going to miss this. 
• Customs guard just asked me if I was by myself. Well no, let me just pull this baby out from behind my seat...
• Here's Winnipeg - ah, praise God for a safe trip. I couldn't have asked for a better one!

So there it is. I highly recommend shopping in Fargo. You can google coupons online and use them down there on top of discounted merchandise - simply awesome! The people are friendly too, and they drive like brandonites.

Until next time, I dare you to do something different alone! It's refreshing, and you'll probably learn something about yourself.