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At the Drive-Thru

March 3, 2023 16 Comments

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While I wait at the pick-up window, a man with his hands in a praying position approaches my car. I’ve encountered homeless on street corners but never here. Usually I ignore them, but I like his innovative approach, so I surrender a dollar.

“Thanks, sir, God bless you,” he says, bowing repeatedly.

I’m surprised how grateful he is for a dollar when his sunken eyes yearn for more. Sipping my coffee, I realize a dollar is not enough to buy a small one.

I circle back, buy him a meal, and stick a twenty in the bag. “God bless you too.”

By Charles Gray

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura Besley says

    March 3, 2023 at 8:49 am

    Great story!

    Reply
  2. Charles Gray says

    March 3, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    Thank you Laura.

    Reply
  3. Joanna says

    March 3, 2023 at 5:12 pm

    Nice story! Really enjoyed this one.

    Reply
    • Charles Gray says

      March 3, 2023 at 6:47 pm

      Thank you Joanna

      Reply
  4. DErek says

    March 4, 2023 at 2:46 am

    This is a good story. I think there are more people “down and out” these days.

    Reply
    • Derek says

      March 4, 2023 at 2:47 am

      Actually my name is “Derek” but my keyboard does not know this!

      Reply
    • Charles Gray says

      March 4, 2023 at 11:59 am

      Yes, I feel that way too.
      Thanks Derek for reading and commenting.

      Reply
  5. HP says

    March 4, 2023 at 12:06 pm

    Nice feel good story to read…really hits the mark during these times.
    Thanks Charles

    Reply
    • Charles Gray says

      March 4, 2023 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks HP for reading and commenting.

      Reply
  6. Liz says

    March 5, 2023 at 6:02 pm

    Kindness. Too rare.
    Beautiful story.

    Reply
  7. Robin L Wiesneth says

    March 8, 2023 at 7:40 am

    Very uplifting. I like your style.

    Reply
  8. Paul Scott Wood says

    March 8, 2023 at 10:47 am

    Great story. Many panhandlers aren’t really homeless. However, for this man I would do the same thing.

    Reply
  9. Lisa says

    March 8, 2023 at 12:46 pm

    A good reminder to be kind to one another.

    Reply
  10. Toni Brayer says

    March 9, 2023 at 9:24 am

    Really good. Complete, thought provoking and passionate. Loved it.

    Reply
  11. Bud says

    March 9, 2023 at 5:32 pm

    Very uplifting…. Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
  12. Sandra says

    March 11, 2023 at 7:39 pm

    There are angels on earth! Thank you!

    Reply

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