Ed Douglas
Member
Not preaching here.....but think you have it tough??.... Had a long day yesterday...waiting at A Terminal to work the 10:20 fto Buffalo.. I am at the food court outside of security...it's about to close. I go in and get a single slice of pizza and sit down to eat it before heading to the gate....just as I have finished.....In walks this kid....he looks to be 25.....good looking young man.... But unkempt and dirty... He did not make eye contact as he walked past me about 15 feet to the trash can where I had just deposited my pizza crust and half a soda.... He reaches in to the trash can and retrieves my crust and someone else's discarded soda.... it was so surreal to me that I just froze for few seconds.....he takes a bit from my pizza crust and rips into the soda.... I come back to myself and I call over to him..... Son.... Would you like a slice of pizza.... He replied ..... Yes Sir.... But they told me I was 85 cents short...Come over with me Son.... I'd like to get you some food.... He hesitated a second......I said its ok...you got me next time.....he was looking at the plain slices..... Son wouldn't you like a couple of these thick, slices with all the stuff on them....he said one is fine.... I said nonsense.....you're hungry.... You could eat a couple right..... He says yes Sir I could.... But I didn't want to appear to be greedy...... Son.....I promise that's not greedy..... I leave him to make his choices....I go to pay up and he comes over to thank me again profusely... And then attempts to hand me a few dollars and some change to "make some of it up"...I said no way.... It's on me and you get me next time....he thanks me again....an articulate kid .... Talks to me a bit now.... Talks about being in the construction trades. But been out of work for 8 months, though he'd been actively trying to procure other jobs...we chatted a bit more and I had to start for the gate.... I left him with I am gonna be praying for you son.... His eyes welled up and he said man that would be great...... I had 40.00 in my wallet and tried to slip it to him.... I did not succeed this time.... He was adamant this time....no says he.... You've been too kind.... Would not take the cash.....Now I gotta get going or I am gonna be welling up!!.....So.....how bad do we have it friends..... Ever been hungry enough to eat out of a trash can...We are Blessed!!.....Douglas...OUT!!