By: Sharice Brown
With three lively children, every day is unpredictable. There are good days, rougher days, happy days, sad days, fun days, and boring days—for both me and the kids. There are also times when something memorable and thought-provoking happens.
On a summer day, the kids and I decided to get our vanilla milkshake from a local establishment. When we were pulling up to the restaurant, a man in his sixties, walked out. He was disheveled and was carrying what looked like a ton of belongings on his back. He had layers and layers of clothing that were soiled with dirt, and he looked tired. We pulled up to him and I asked him if he was doing okay. He stated that he was. My son said to me, “Mommy, ask him if he needs anything.” He said that he was okay and was about to go to the thrift store that was across the parking lot to pick up some things. I told him that we would meet him over there.
As he walked over to the thrift store, my son and daughter searched for money in the backseat to give him. We found a parking space, and the homeless gentleman already had made his way into the store—he was a fast walker! Once we got into the store, he looked at me and could not believe I was standing there with two school-age children and a baby in a car seat. He said we didn’t have to do all of this, and I told him, “Oh, yes we did.” He proceeded to tell us that he was a ground dweller and wondered if we knew what a ground dweller was.
He told us that he lived out in the woods and told us some of his life story. The kids were eager to help him and wanted to give him the few dollars they had. The man stated that his sister helped him and he didn’t need their money but appreciated it. The kids then asked him if there was something else they could do for him, and he said it would be okay if they got him some socks. We purchased the socks for him, and he thanked the kids as we parted ways. When we got in the car the kids said they always wanted to help the homeless and were glad they could help the man get the socks he needed.
Sharice Brown is a Registered Nurse, married to a wonderful husband, the mother of three children, a son age eight and two beautiful daughters ages six and one. She considers herself a novice at writing but looks forward to writing more, and is planning a blog for her up and coming company called Latch Time. Latch Time, is an apparel company for breastfeeding mothers. You can find out more about Latch Time at: www.latchtime.com, follow Sharice on Instagram @Latchtime or email her at: info@latchtime.com