i hopped out of bed at 6:07 like usual and went to play soccer with some guys over near Queens University. (not exercising for 2 months REALLY gets you out of shape.)
on the way home i stopped at the gas station by my house to fill up. 2 homeless guys were chillin under the shade tree near my pump and asked if i had any change.
i said "no... (then with a moment of hesitation that seemed like an eternity in my head as i pondered my giant TO-DO list for today and how much behind it would put me if i followed through with what my heart was leading me to do...)
but can i buy you some breakfast?"
"SURE!" they said.
i wanted a shower after soccer + wanted to at least see Crystal and Keira before they took off for the day, so i told them to meet me back at the Hardee's next door in 45 minutes.
we introduced ourselves and i officially met Shake & Eric. i was like "Shake?" and he said, "Yeah, you know, like shake" as he physically started shaking to make sure i got his name.
when i came back they were waiting for me. we hung out and talked at Hardee's for a while.
Shake didn't want any coffee because he had his own drink in a silver container he kept sipping. i couldn't help but think that 9 in the morning had to be too early for that.
Eric looked really really rough. even for a homeless guy. looked like he had a lot of hard life stories behind all the dirt and nappy hair.
Eric looked at me at one point and said "can you do me a favor?"
"sure"
"these are my only pair of pants and i crapped them yesterday. do you have any shorts or pants i could have?"
this guy had literally crapped his only pair of pants.
i asked them to give me 15 minutes and i would be right back.
i ran home and brought back 2 bags full of clothes. 1 for each of them. thankfully they were both about my size. i made sure to have plenty of pairs of pants for Eric.
when they opened the bags and looked at all the clothes their eyeballs got so big with this look of astonishment.
then they both teared up and choked up.
they gave me the warmest handshakes + the most heart felt "thank you" maybe ever.
they told me lots of stories as we sat and talked. they told me about the 10 or so homeless guys who all stick together nearby - just off 77.
they also gave me lots of advice as we sat and talked. like don't drink too much because it will mess up my liver.
they were also very keen to give me what they promised was good sex advice. not sure if i'll be trying any of it.
when i took off i had made 2 new friends. i told them maybe we would bump into each other & hang out again some time and they said the same.
i'll have to keep an eye out for Eric and Shake now. should be easy if i recognize any of my former clothes :)
that was my morning & now i'm back to the office. it's hard to know when to interrupt the TO-DO list for something like that.
i haven't accomplished very much this morning, but i think i did the right thing.
i haven't gotten very much done... or did i?
i hope i never get so busy that i feel i have to ignore my heart.
