Moment With Mel: Just A Banana
I saw an article on WBTV.com about a new ordinance in Rock Hill, S.C. banning panhandling. The new ordinance covers the entire city, including roads and underpasses where panhandlers operate. And I get it. We can all become annoyed with panhandling. Traffic becomes backed up, and many folks don’t want to give people money. I think many of us think that the homeless and those panhandling only want money for drugs and/or alcohol. I thought that way too until last week.
My heart is huge and if I won the lottery, I know half my winnings would go towards helping others. But like many people in our country, I live paycheck to paycheck. Usually, I don’t have any extra money to give to those in need.
Daily when I drive to work, I see people panhandling at the corner of Billy Graham and Tryon in Charlotte. Rarely do I carry cash but on two occasions I’ve had some and I’ve given what I had to some folks panhandling. Yes, I realize the money may not have been used for food, but I feel bad for people living on the street, no matter why they’re out there. Last week something happened that made me a bit less cynical.
I was at the light on Billy Graham, waiting to turn left onto Tryon. A young guy was walking on the median, going from car to car asking for money. I rolled my window down and told the guy that I didn’t have any money, but that I had a banana he could have. This guy’s eyes lit up, and he said, “OMG! I’d love a banana!” I’ll admit that I was shocked. I figured he’d turn it down.
My heart was full after that experience. I’ve never seen someone so excited to receive a piece of fruit. I was humbled by the experience. It made me realize that not everyone who panhandles just wants money. I don’t know anything about the guy: he could be an addict. But he was so happy to get a banana! It made me realize that I need to reserve judgment, and helping people just a little can go a long way.
The next day, before leaving my house for work, I packed some extra fruit in my bag to give to this gentleman. Unfortunately, I didn’t see him. But the experience changed my outlook. Yes, some folks are just scamming people for money, no question. But there are some folks on the street that are just down on their luck, and a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
This weekend I’m going to make up some snack bags to leave in my car. Just in case someone else needs a person to show that they care. I’m not sharing this experience to pat myself on the back. I mean, it was just a banana. But my interaction with this guy made me realize that I need to be less judgmental. And it made me realize that even just a banana can make someone’s day.
