Homeless Run

So I run the two miles home from work now. There was a seminar with free lunch at the lab, for which they ordered too many sandwiches. Come time to leave, there were still six half-subs lying around and a full one. No one wanted them but I couldn't bear to see them go into the garbage.

I wrapped the half ones in foil, loaded them into my backpack and started running home.

Partway down Boylston, I see a homeless man. I say "Hey, would you like a sandwich?"
He smiles and says "Shu-ah" (sure). Well, I have six so I say, "How about another?" He says "Definitely! What kind are they?" I'm not sure as they had gotten mixed up when I wrapped them in foil, but as it turns out he didn't really care anyways.

I feel as though I'm a sandwich delivery man. The subs were in the sports drink side pocket so while I'm running I just reach back and hand them off.

The second man looked fairly respectable, contrary to normal attire of the homeless. He's holding up a sign that says "My son and I are homeless. Please help." He's relatively young, forties I'd say. He looks stern, as if life's fortune had taken a turn for the worse and he shouldn't be in that situation. He's wearing a decent button down shirt and khaki's. It makes me think he and his son probably live out of a car.

"Sir, would you like a sandwich?" He immediately asks, "What kind are they?" I give the same answer; I wasn't sure. "Have they been refridgerated?" "Yes," I tell him. I explain where the subs came from. He accepts two, says a quick word of thanks, and I'm off. Back to my run.

The last guy was my favorite. He was seated in front of Walgreens or CVS--I forget--which I can only assume is a good begging spot as customers file out with change in their pockets fresh from the cashier. I wonder if the homeless life has become more difficult with more and more cashless transaction.

Anyways, he couldn't have been more than 25 and had a fairly happy look to him. He actually reminded me of Maciej (from Japan), at least in physical appearance and demeanor. "Hey bud, would you like a sandwich?" He immediately brightens up and says "Yeah man! I really just want food and everyone else keeps giving me money! Thanks!" I could see the excitement in his eyes. When was the last time that he had had a good sub-sandwich? Even before I jet off, he's digging into the first sandwich. Chicken salad sub, I think it was.

With a backpack considerably lighter and almost back to the house, I return. Gotta say, after the 20 bucks dilemma, I felt pretty good about myself. A 2 mile run in 25 minutes while helping the homeless. Life doesn't get much better than that.