It’s true, I struggle to be part of this world. It’s mostly a result of my inability to understand a rampant disconnection amongst people in this modern society. But today, through an unexpected interaction, I saw there are people who have not yet lost their soul.
It was in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, that the thing happened which lightened my heart. A middle aged, dark-skinned, woman approached me for money – I guess a she could be called a beggar. This is not an uncommon occurrence in that part of Brisbane, not by any stretch on the imagination. For this woman it was be a routine she would have gone through many times before, both on that day and on many other days since gone. She asked me for a few dollars.
Not one to turn away someone in need, for whatever reason, I asked her to hold my motorbike helmet while I rummaged through my bag. Giving her my helmet was more an act of faith than a necessity. It was to show I saw her as another human being, to be trusted and respected. Someone not above or below me, not inferior or superior, but just another person walking this planet in slightly different shoes.
As I rummaged through my bag and she stood holding my helmet with the greatest of care I made light hearted conversation about her not running off with my motorcycle head wear as I would have to walk home. We both had a laugh. She then made a point of justifying her begging as a necessity because of something to do with her mother- to be honest the excuse didn’t even make sense. I wasn’t concerned anyhow, the ‘why’ was unimportant.
“How much do you need?,” I said.
“Ah, two dollars or whatever you have will be fine love,” she replied.
I extracted the princely sum of about $3.50 in coins from the lint and miscellaneous rubbish which had accumulated in the bottom of my bag. I put it in her hand. It was what happened next which surprised me.
She looked at the collection of coins, and some lint, in her outstretched palm with some confusion. After a moment a beaming smile of appreciation grew across her face. She looked at me with deep, soulful eyes and out stretched her arms in a pose which one can only interpreted as asking for a hug. I gave it to her. People looked on, judged, and tried to make sense of their now confused minds.
Who is this man in business attire giving a beggar a hug in the middle of the mall?
Still they watched as my new beggar friend thanked me with humble appreciation and we parted to continue with our separate lives.
It was the true appreciation in her heart which struck me. A recognition that this was more than a gift of money but an exchange of compassion from one human being to another. An interaction born from society’s requirement to own money but extending well past a financial transaction.
So this beggar came asking for money but gave so much more in return – as long as you were open enough to listen. $3.50 well spent.
