MISERLY COW

I went down to Safeway yesterday or the day before.  Can't remember.  Needed a few things.  As always, I carry a couple of fives on me.  There is quite often an unfortunate person sitting outside of the main doors, needing a little help.

Now, you tell me...is there any person alive that doesn't already know that these people are more than likely self medicating, mentally ill, unemployable (would you employ them?), shelter is provided, a meal or two a day is available, on assistance of some sort and very very miserable.

I know this.  I choose to give them a little money anyway.  Even I can use a ten now and then. Can't we all?  And whether they get fed elsewhere or will use it on drugs, smokes or booze, my ten isn't going to change their habits.  Its just going to help their day a little.

So the other day, I saw a lady sitting on the cement, in the heat, a hat down over her face and another hat sitting upright, waiting for a little change.  I dug out my two fives and then I did something I am never ever doing again. 

 I looked around, saw a couple heading to the main door and I slowed down to let them get ahead so they wouldn't see me give her money.  What the hell?  I have actually become defensive about it!!!  I have been accosted so many times after giving money that I automatically tried to avoid it!  Well I am NOT doing that again.  I have every right to give whoever I want money...my kids, my friends, my rellies or a sad sick person on the sidewalk.

So I marched up and dropped two fives into her hat.  She was sound asleep!  Normally I like to stop and chat a bit but I didn't want to wake her up.  And as I entered the store, sure enough, here comes Mrs. White lady, all do gooder and ready to let me have it.

"You know they come up here from downtown and you know they are housed and fed down there.  She is probably going to spend that money on drugs or alcohol."

Well I looked her in the eye and answered back.  "I don't care.  Everybody needs some money now and then.  If she is addicted, this may help her not be so sick today.  If she needs smokes this might keep her from picking up butts off the street.  Who knows?  You don't.  You can never love or help people enough in this world.  You should give it a try.  I have a mentally ill son and if he didn't have a family to help him, he would be right where she is.  A little compassion goes a long way.  Now leave me alone and maybe go help her out."

And from now on I am not going to hesitate and I am NOT engaging in conversation with do gooders any more.  I will simply put my hand up and tell them I have heard it all before and if they choose to be unloving and miserly, go ahead, but leave me out of it.  Or maybe I will skip all that and just tell them f.ck off.