I Met a Man

I met a man today.  I did not want to meet a man today.  While I usually wait inside for the start of my work day, something propelled me outdoors.  I sat on the steps of a beautiful old church, a national landmark, and I prayed.  I prayed for a friend facing a follow-up mammogram.  I prayed for a family member who is hurting.  I prayed for a friend's friend who is seriously ill.  As I prayed, a man walked by.  My internal mantra was, please don't stop, please don't stop.  I just wasn't in the mood for meeting a man today.  Besides, I was praying.  Isn't that more important than meeting a man?  Isn't that more important than meeting a man who is missing his teeth...a man whose odor is assailing my nostrils?

Oh, no.  He is slowing down.  Please don't stop, please don't stop. 

"Good morning," he said.  "What's going on in the church?"

"Nothing," I replied.  "They serve lunch here later today, but you have to go through the side door, and it's later...much later." 

"Oh, I know that," he said.  "We'll have a service later too.  Did you know that?"

"Yes," I said, "I did know that, although I have never attended one of the services."

"Mind if I sit down?"

"No, please." 

So, he sat.  This man I met today.  This man named Edward.  He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out a black bag.

"Know what that is," he queried.

"No, I don't think so."

He unfurled the black bag, and proudly showed me The Contributor logo on the flap. 

"Ah, so you sell The Contributor.  That's hard work.  Your bag is empty.  Did you sell them all yesterday?"

"Yes.  I'm just waiting for the office to open so I can buy some more.  Are you from around here?"

"I have lived in Nashville all my life."  So, apparently, it was meant for me to meet this man this day.   "What about you?"

"I was born here, but I was raised in Philadelphia.  Being on the streets is really hard, especially when you are a recovering alcoholic and drug addict.  I went back to Philly when my Aunt Mary died.  She forgave me for the money I stole from her."

"She knew that if you had not been using, you would never have stolen from her."

"Ma'am, you can see right into me.  That's right.  I wouldn't've ever stolen a thing if I hadn't been using drugs and drinking. Drugs and alcohol, they will f*#k, oh, sorry for my language, uh, mess up your mind.   Do you smoke?"

"No, I don't."

"Well, I was going to smoke, but I won't because I know it bothers people who don't." 

"I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.  Lots of people would not have even bothered to ask."

"My mama raised me right."

He showed me what he had bought this morning....a pack of Winstons.  He also pulled out his wallet and showed me that he had money; money he had earned, not stolen.  He is proud of himself.  He should be. My students arrived, and so I had to bid Edward good-bye.  I wished him a good day.  I told him to take care of himself.  He replied, "I'll try, but I'm not perfect."

I said, "none of us are, Edward, none of us are."

And so, I met a man today.  I reluctantly met a man today.  I gratefully met a man today.  Thank you, Edward for stopping by to chat. 

For today, I wish you unexpected encounters, and I wish you

blessings