An umbrella

[pegkerr]

It was cold and pouring rain today when I drove to work. As often happens, someone was standing at the exit where I turn off the highway to head to the office. A man held up a sign, his shoulders hunched against the rain. I only caught a few words: "Family . . . homeless . . . baby due 12-8-06 . . . "

Baby due? Then I saw her, sitting on a piece of corrugated cardboard beside the man, her largely pregnant belly poking out off her zippered sweatshirt.

I quickly groped for my wallet, but as I thought, it was empty. I looked at the woman again, and I felt angry and sad on her behalf. Suddenly I had an idea. I grabbed for my large gym bag on the seat beside me and rolled the window down. "I don't have any money," I told the man, "but could you use an umbrella?"

The woman smiled. "Oh, please." So I handed it out the window to the man, and he immediately gave it to the woman. She had it up and over her head as I turned the corner.

The rain quickened, beating down on the car hard, and I was glad, fiercely glad, that I had given it to her.

I thought of her all day as the rain continued.

Comments

[embereye.livejournal.com]

That was good thinking on your part. I don't know that I would've thought to give them my umbrella. There are so many sad stories and a lot of the time, there is at least a little something that you (generic you) can do. I'm glad you were able to do something for them.

[cindysilver.livejournal.com]

This is the most touching thing I've read in weeks. Thanks for making my day brighter :)

[handworn.livejournal.com]

Just heartbreaking. I hope they find a place.

[wilfulcait.livejournal.com]

Good thinking. It's always nice when there is something unambiguously right you can do to help.

[tinymich.livejournal.com]

I wrote recently about being on a canoeing trip where it rained steadily and hard. At some point during the day a friend held a bucket over my head, and I was immensely thankful for the relief it provided. Me, overprivileged, nonpregnant, actually dressed for physical get-wet activity, on a summer's day in July. I cannot think how wonderful having that umbrella must have felt to that woman in a Minnesota winter.

Good thinking, Peg.

[dreamflower]

That was good thinking! You showed great presence of mind, and I'm sure the umbrella was a huge blessing. I hope they find the help they really need, soon.

[msavi.livejournal.com]

I think this has to be the most touching thing I have ever read. Thank you.

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

Yikes... that's so sad. You did the right thing and you really helped them out. Good for you! I hope they find someplace safe and warm tonight.

[mlion.livejournal.com]

Bless you. You may not have been able to give them cash, but shelter in midwinter is so important...even if it's a simple and so useful thing as an umbrella.

[kiwiria.livejournal.com]

That is so sad. I feel like crying now :-(

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you're religious in any sense or any tradition. But this reminds me of Jesus' words: Whatsoever you have done to the least of these my brethren, you have done it also unto me.

A couple with no place to stay and a baby on its way is remarkably Christmaslike anyway.

If you sent this article to the local paper, maybe they could get into someplace safe and warm before the baby is born.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am religious and I thought of that, and yes, the similarity to the Christmas story definitely did occur to me.

[bookshop.livejournal.com]

Oh, Peg.

That just brings home so completely how we, as a society, are focusing our domestic and foreign policies on all the wrong things and none of the truly important ones.

[origamilady.livejournal.com]

As the others have said, that was great thinking . . . have you ever had the chance to check out http://www.heroicstories.com ??? your stories remind me of the sort that they collect/send out.

[huladavid.livejournal.com]

I've a friend who carries protein bars & the like in his car, so when he gets pan-handled he can give 'em that instead of money.

Ocassionally I give almost used buscards to people needing money for the fare. I've often wondered if there was a way to give a charity cards with a dollar of so on 'em to use for their clients.

[aome.livejournal.com]

I've a friend who carries protein bars & the like in his car, so when he gets pan-handled he can give 'em that instead of money.

I sometimes made extra PB&J sandwiches to carry with me as I walked to the subway when I lived in Washington DC, for that purpose. Seemed better, and of more immediate use, than money, just like Peg's umbrella.

Peg, that was a lovely story, and wonderful to wake up to. Thanks for sharing.