We All Have a Story

Early morning trip out to fill up the pantry reminded me:  we all have a life story.

Met a new guest today.  They were looking in the pantry, which I knew didn’t have much in it because I had just checked it.  I popped out to say hello and ask what they would like. 

Turned out it was someone new.  They had a big duffel bag and a backpack. 

“Morning!  Can I get you something?  What are you hungry for?” I asked.

“Umm, groceries??” they replied.

“Sure thing, What kind of food do you like?  Do you eat meat?  Any allergies?” I checked.

“Nah…  Ummm, but… I don’t have a place to cook…” they embarrassingly admitted.

“No problem!  I got ya!  Hey, do you have a can opener?”.

They confirmed they did, so off I went.  I filled up a bag with things I thought would work for them to look thru – tuna, a summer sausage, veggies, fruits, drinks, cooked pasta, cooked meatballs, cereal, granola bars, cookies, snacks, and drinks.  Then I threw in a thick pair of socks and some handwarmers from Project Warmth.

I brought it out, “Here you go.  Look through here and see what you would like.  Hey, want a cup of coffee??”.

The smile.  The genuine smile.  “Oh, yes.  Yes.  I would really like a cup of coffee.”

“Whatcha take in it?”

“3 creams and 1 sugar.”

“OK then, I will go make that, you look through these things.  Anything you would like, KEEP.  Anything you don’t want, please help me by putting it in the pantry.”

As the coffee was brewing, I picked out 3 warm hats from the Project Warmth stash to give them a choice.  When I came back outside, they were working on fitting things into their bags.  “Feel free to take that little bag in there.  It folds up really small – it’s great for carrying extra things.”

I looked at what they had not chosen.  “Hey, you don’t want these MEATBALLS?  They are really good,” I showed them.

“Yeah, I don’t have anywhere to cook…” they reminded me.

“Ahh, these are COOKED!  You just have to heat them up.”

They still looked uncertain.

“And, I THINK, if you pop into the 7-11 and buy a coffee, they wouldn’t mind if you heat them in the microwave.  Just walk in and be cool, buy a coffee, and heat these up.”

The smile again.  YES – yes, to meatballs and pre-cooked pasta in a pouch.  Yes to the mashed potato and roast with gravy Compleats meal they had passed on.  And yes to the single serving of soup they hadn’t taken the first go round.

“You staying inside?” I asked casually as I put the items they hadn’t taken into the pantry for others.

“Nah.  But don’t worry,” they tried to reassure me.

I presented the 3 hats and they eagerly chose one and put it on right then and there. 

“Gonna snow tomorrow,” I cautioned.

“Really??” they replied, sounding concerned.

They noticed me putting a can of mangoes onto the shelf.  “You have fruit, too???” they sounded so excited.

“Sure do!  Mangoes and oranges,” I showed them.  They happily took both cans and found a space for them in the duffel bag.

“Have I met you before??” I asked them.

“No.  No, you have not.”

We exchanged names.  We shook hands.  And I couldn’t help but see – a wedding ring.  A nice one at that. 

The story…  What is the story…  Spouse pass away?  Perhaps addiction?  Lost job?  Mental illness?  House burn down?  Got behind on rent?

I have no idea.  This person was a couple years older than me.  Clean.  Pleasant.  Being out on the streets seemed to be new.  And it is a cold winter.

I can’t imagine.

They looked back at our house.  “This isn’t a SHELTER, is it??” they asked.

“No, no it is not.  It’s our home.”

“Remind me – what’s your name again?” they asked.

“Susan.  I am Susan.  And I will remember yours, because I have a relative with the same name.”

“Thank you.  Thank you.  You really made my day.”

I think I will see them again.  I hope so.  I hope the 7-11 is cool and lets them heat up some food.  I hope they have someplace to shelter from the rain and snow that is coming.  I hope that they can spend today at least with a full belly.

And I hope that this section of life, this bump in the road, doesn’t define their story. 

Because we ALL have a story.  I am happy that I could be a small part of theirs today.

Thank you to all who so graciously support the Little Yellow Free Pantry.  Without COMMUNITY, this effort (now almost to year 4) would never be possible.  We are currently in need of canned fruit of any kind, microwave popcorn, cans of corn of any type, cans of potatoes, canned sardines, shelf stable meatballs with sauce, Slim Jim type beef stick snacks, and single serving heat and eat cups of soup of any type.  If you are local and can drop off, please leave donations in the tan and green plastic bin on our front porch.  Or, you can find our Amazon wish list here:  Little Yellow Free Pantry Wish List