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The train had just pulled away from the stop when I heard, and then saw, this man walking down the tracks in the direction of the rapidly departing train. He stood in the middle of the tracks, shouting obscenities and curses because he had been thrown off the train. Moments later, he was sitting on the benches on the other side of the stop, awaiting the next train to take him in the opposite direction.
I always give a nod and a smile. Everyone, regardless of their situation, is a human being… Sometimes a little love, through a simple nod of acknowledgement, goes a long way to heal a hurting heart!
I agree completely with you Flamidwyfe and I do the same for the exact same reasons.. It does not take too much effort to acknowledge others with a simple hello.
Your responses are admirable. I wish I could say the same for myself (read my comments below). Maybe, just maybe, I will try to offer a smile in the future.
You captured the disappointed look of this old man… I can relate with its drama 🙂 Brilliant shot!
Thank you so much; that is what I was going for.
I love photos that have a story to tell. Great shot!
Thank you, Inga.
Yeah that photo tells a full story. And it’s true that we give a sidelong glance and ignore. thought-provoking.
Thank you. I just had a thought. I could show this in class and have the students respond to it.
A nod, a smile, and a kind word has often meant standing and listening to some incoherent rant…but I’ve never regretted it…you do what you can to help.
Be encouraged!
Stephen, I wish that I could say that I respond in a kind way. To be honest, I frequently don’t because there are so many who are potentially dangerous. When I am walking in the city alone, I don’t make eye contact with anyone, because eye contact is an invitation to be approached. At this point, I become uncomfortable, nervous, and sometimes afraid. I don’t like my response, and in fact, it shames me.
Hi Mona. I really appreciate this reply. There have been times when I thought safety was an issue. More recently I’ve tried to to acknowledge because I’ve seen certain people repeatedly. This is a great post…it’s thought provoking…thanks!
Great shot Mona. Really captures his defeat in not being able to be on that train. Such a hard thing to see people in need like that
There are so many in need. When I give the few money, I feel guilty for possibly feeding the drug or alcohol addiction, yet that is, for most of them, the only way to cope with the pain of their lives. When I ignore them, I feel guilty. They are the segment of society that makes us uncomfortable or angry.
Something to keep in mind, I keep some food in my car that doesn’t go bad, like bars and that sort of thing. I give them those when i see them 🙂
I have done that in the past…and I think I will do that again. Good point.
He was irritated, but not defeated. He simply got on the next train going in the opposite direction. He still has spirit.
YES!
Awwww yes he does 🙂
Because of our mild winters, we are a mecca for street people. They handle the blazing summer heat by sleeping under trees in the parks or hanging out in the library.
I have avoided some shopping centers because I couldn’t get in or out of my car without being approached by several scary looking people at a time, which is frightening.
Most of our street people are harmless. Just lost, addicted, or mentally ill. As is probably the case across the country, our hospitals cannot afford to house our mentally ill citizens, and turn them out unless they are severely sick. Unfortunately, they are too ill to hold down a job.
Many of them choose to live on the streets rather than be confined to walls and rules.
😦
Very thought provoking post, someimes we do hurry,then when we feel guilty try to compensate ,but how many times?
Sometimes, I wonder if he’s OK … just OK as he is.