Missed opportunities

Our locally owned grocery store, Ukrop's, sponsors one of the largest 10k races in the world. It's a great day for families because they have a kids 1k fun run plus they have several runner divisions and a huge amount of walkers. Most races don't include walkers so it's nice for Matt and I as he runs it and I walk it.

We have been training for it through the local YMCA every Saturday. I love it because I know for 10 weeks I get to spend every Saturday with Matt. We exercise in the morning and have lunch together at the local Ukrop's. It's our date day and it's one of the most fun times of year for me.

Last Saturday, we sat at Ukrop's eating sushi- they have a fresh sushi bar there that's amazing- and talking over our plan for the day. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a man with long grey hair greased back and a weathered face sit at a table outside. I noticed that he had a big coat and a pair of jean, both covered with dirt. I don't know why I continued to watch him.....he opened his cigarette box so carefully to light his last cigarette and gingerly fingered his cup of coffee. I wondered if he was homeless- strange to see a homeless man in this area of town as it's pretty rural and out of the way. I wondered if he would like some lunch. I wondered if he would like some fruit instead. I wondered if he would like some canned goods to take with him. I wondered again if he would like the chicken or the meatloaf from the hot bar for lunch. I wondered if I should give him my cup of watermelon that I hadn't began to eat yet. I wondered if I should stick my head out the door and simply ask him if he'd like some lunch that I would bring it to him. I wondered.....

All these things ran through my head but I never did anything - I just watched him. He got up to leave and searched the trash cans before he walked down the sidewalk and off to the woods. So I wondered and wondered but never did anything. I missed an opportunity to help out someone who may have really appreciated a hot meal on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Next time I won't just wonder, I'll ask. Maybe he tells me to get lost but at least I'll have asked.

If you're putting off making a call to someone who you haven't seen or heard from in awhile, do it. Take 5 minutes to write a letter or just a note to someone who may need it.
Send $20 to your local animal shelter or pick up their 'wish list' to see if you have things already at home you can donate.

A little goes a long way.........