Mark Cook, Positive Outlooks Contributor
There was a horse trailer parked at DD a few minutes ago. The owner was rubbing the horses face while one of our young homeless folks approached and asked to pet the horse. He then took some change out of his pockets and told the owner to help feed the horse with the change. The owner refused to take his change. So I whispered to the owner that the man was offering all that he has and it would make him feel real good to help an animal. So the owner gratefully accepted the change.
The homeless man was happy to pet the horse. This is probably a huge reward for him just being near a horse after living in the city and never having a chance to be with something so majestic. I then went into DD and bought my iced coffee. The homeless man came in and sat down. He’d probably been on his feet walking around all night. I could tell he was tired. I bought a $10 DD gift card for him and asked the woman behind the counter to go hand it to him. He just stared at the card for a few minutes before getting in line. I’ll never forget the look on his face when he was staring at that card. I hope someone leads him to our Mission. I just couldn’t approach him with teary eyes.
Image only for visual representation. Photo Credit: Gane from Flickr.
I hope what he experienced this morning will give him hope in his heart. It gave me hope in my heart that someday all people will look at homeless folks, not as bums or addicts, but as the kind and loving folks they are. When you see a homeless person, smile at them. Don’t turn your head the other way. A smile or a small gesture of kindness can brighten their day. I know that today my day was brightened and blessed by just witnessing this man’s generosity, despite him not having a penny left to his name.
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Mark Cook is a homeless advocate and Founder of The Matthew 25 Mission, a homeless outreach center in Taunton, MA. Mark has worked with the homeless and poor for over a decade. You can follow him on Facebook, HERE.
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Manny
Saturday 16th of August 2014
Mark Cook, your actions and your work and people like you gives me hope and strengthens my faith in humanity.
The Liberty of Lisa
Thursday 3rd of July 2014
What a heart warming post!
zadsdonna
Monday 23rd of June 2014
Great job expressing the homeless heart Mark. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Mark 12:43-44
charlenelucko@outlook.com
Monday 23rd of June 2014
i need to know if this website is free if not needto cancel
Mark Cook
Monday 23rd of June 2014
This website is absolutely free.