A lesson from a homeless veteran.

in #story7 years ago (edited)

As I got my coffee this morning I walked past a homeless veteran I often see standing at the intersection.

Just yesterday I learned he's a Flyers Hockey fan so naturally we're becoming buddies.

Today as I stopped to have a quick chat, he told me something that wrenched my heart.

A few days ago a car slowed down and the driver reached his hand out but it wasn't change he was offering.

My friend looked down to see what he had been given.

2 bullets.

"Just finish yourself." The driver said.

"It'll be better for all of us."

My friend threw the bullets back in the car as the driver pulled away.

What a cruel way to treat a complete stranger.

We chatted for a bit longer before I gave him a hug.

Just before I turned to walk away he announced "You see me."

I nodded.

As I crossed the street, this sentiment was ringing in my ears:

Every. Single. Human. Being. Has. Value.

This value exists independent of what we DO or HAVE.

It is built into our humanity and is irrevocable.

But when our own pain clouds our vision, this truth gets blurred and the value is made less apparent.

So it's not about demonizing the driver. It is about recognizing he is in immense pain.

He was more than likely having that conversation with himself.

This isn't to let him off the hook. His incompetence at managing his own pain has real impact.

And those in his life should not allow it without protest.

But we all must ask the question as we navigate a world with no shortage of pain...

What's the better medicine?

A bullet or a hug?

Sort:  

Congratulations @mikeslavin! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

You published your First Post

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honnor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

By upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!

Congratulations @mikeslavin! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

You made your First Comment

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

By upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!

Thanks for the good article

Congratulations @mikeslavin! You have received a personal award!

1 Year on Steemit
Click on the badge to view your Board of Honor.

Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard!


Participate in the SteemitBoard World Cup Contest!
Collect World Cup badges and win free SBD
Support the Gold Sponsors of the contest: @good-karma and @lukestokes


Do you like SteemitBoard's project? Then Vote for its witness and get one more award!

Congratulations @mikeslavin! You received a personal award!

Happy Birthday! - You are on the Steem blockchain for 2 years!

You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking

Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness to get one more award and increased upvotes!

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.16
TRX 0.15
JST 0.027
BTC 59439.79
ETH 2290.08
USDT 1.00
SBD 2.48