A couple weeks before Christmas my younger daughter and I drove my older girl to a theatre class. When we pulled up we saw a wheelchair over by the dumpster and someone lying beside it, huddled between cardboard and a blanket on the frigid downtown sidewalk. We were all concerned about the person, but I wasn't sure what to do. I called the theatre and asked if they knew the person was outside and okay. They said they did, that they were using the theatre's electricity and they were checking on them here and there. The theatre group is lead by really compassionate and kind-hearted people.
So we dropped off our girl and we had some time. I asked my little one if she wanted to get this person a dinner. She was very curious and asked me some questions. She said it was a good thing that cardboard was there if that person fell out of their wheelchair, she didn't want them to be hurt.
We drove to Tim Horton's and got a bottle of water, a coffee, a bowl of chili and a turkey club sandwich. I also had a $20 bill in my wallet because we were carrying a little cash through the month so we could go to the local Christmas light display without running to the bank (cash only).
When we pulled back up, I asked my little one to stay in the car. I called out that I brought a dinner and some money but was keeping my distance with COVID (I didn't have a mask). It turned out it was two people cuddled together.
Their gratitude made me weep all the way home.
It guts me that anyone is living that way. It was cold and gloomy and I wished we could do more.
Tonight my little one was playing lego at the kitchen table and asked me to come see what she built. She said "this girl used to be homeless, but these two friends are builders so they made her a home to keep her safe."
It brought back all the feelings of that day. She just wants everyone to have what she has. A safe, loving home. We all deserve that.
-Amanda
