If one believes in a philosophy or frame of mind there are times when that philosophy will be tested.
Although the experiences in the sometimes cold and cruel outside world can make us doubt our personal beliefs, we must always try to stay true to ourselves.
Recently I have been through some medical issues, which has lead me to spending a lot of time near the county hospital in Chicago.
While the area surrounding the building is decent enough, it is surrounded by areas which are not exactly safe. Add this to the fact that it is a state run county hospital in the midst of a great and populous area, and one could hardly excuse anyone from being a bit more wary of the people around you.
While I was there, I had a few cigarettes, something I should not still be engaging in, but despite being one of the world’s worst addictions, I am only Human. Waiting to leave the hospital, I ran into a homeless man named Tarnell, who was being denied a cigarette by everyone smoking in front of the facility.
They acknowledged his requests with various forms of denial that barely masked the disgust they clearly felt. Me being me, I called him over and gave him two cigarettes, and despite bumming those myself and having but one more (as said I really shouldn’t be doing that anyway) I refused the unwritten fifty cent standard payment for each cigarette.
Tarnell gave me some cheap metal bracelet for my kindness, probably something he had found somewhere in the wilds of the world, and although I accepted the gift, I had no intention of wearing it.
He went on to discuss a few things, including the state of the public health system and a basic overview of my recent life and health woes. He imparted to me he had once been a heavy drug addict and that is how he lost everything. He had stopped doing those drugs after a near escape from a situation that would have landed him in prison for a long stay. However, I believed he was sincere in the fact that he had not touched that substance in well over two years.
But the most unlikely and touching thing was yet to come.
Shortly before departing Tarnell said that he had to wait for his money to come in, as he was almost broke. Thinking that this was his way of segueing into asking me for some cash, I told him that money was the one thing I did not currently have.
Tarnell turned to me, reached into his coat pocket and retrieved two dollar bills, one of which he placed back in his pocket and the other he handed to me. I protested, said he most likely needed that dollar way more then I would in the near future and tried to hand it back. He would have none of it saying:
“Now I have one and you have one. If we each have one, now neither of us will have nothing.”
This may be a seemingly empty gesture, and one single dollar may be the monetary equivalent of a penny in our current economy, but it shows us not only how we should never judge a book by its cover but also that even those with less then nothing can still be generous and kind.
After all, in the end it is the Human beings that have the issues with all and sundry, not the money itself. So it is good to be reminded that behind everyone from the man wearing the shiniest Italian business suit to the shabbiest overcoat, beneath it all we are still very much the same.
Editor’s Note: Due to his current medical condition, Thomas is unable to hold down his regular job and is in dire need of funds. We know that many right now are in similar situations, but if you have a dollar or two to spare, it would help him get back on his feet and be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to help, please type the URL below into your web browser, and even if you do not want to donate, sharing the page around social media would be just as great help as a donation.
http://www.gofundme.com/f4np5k
Donations may be made by mail to: Dolphin Talk, PO Box 777, Port O’Connor, TX 77982 will be forwarded to Thomas.
Thank you.
