I write this for tmfun; You done good, Pilgrim.

[Tyler Durden]

I wanted this to be a PM, but my PM wouldn't send, so I had to tell you my story.

Every thanksgiving, I cry at least once.

I was homeless once. It was an accident of fate, and a lie got me out of it. So be it. That's not the story. I tell this to you to let you know there are others like you.

I was driving my kids somewhere when we were marooned in Houston Texas for 10 years. my oldest was about 6, my middle one 3, and the youngest not born yet. It was the weekend before Thanksgiving.

We passed an old man under an overpass. He wasn't begging, he didn't have a sign. We passed closely and slowly enough to see he was definitely homeless, sitting there crying.

My oldest said, "Was that man crying? Why was he crying?" I started to cry.

We went to the nearest fast food place, a McDonald's. I didn't want to go any farther because I had to catch this man. I bought a ton of food and hot coffee, I don't remember exactaly what, I was trying too hard not to cry.

I gave him the food, my coat and a couple of blankets I kept in the car for emergencies. I think he thanked me, I'm not certain as I was weeping uncontrollably.

My sons still remember this.

You done good.

Now I'm going to go have my Thanksgiving cry.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

1. I Lived In My Car Through Two Of The Harshest Winters.

What I wouldn't have given for someone to have reached out to me voluntarily in such a way. Instead, all I got were a bunch of selfish and heartless pieces of shit that would call the cops on me just for seeing me sleeping in a car at the end of the road. Didn't matter what road, what town or how much I wasn't in their way at all. They were just all pieces of mother fucking shit.

But had just one of them ever come out, even just once, with a blanket and a bag of Mickey D's, maybe I to this day wouldn't still harbor such partial hatred and bitterness toward aspects of the Human Race.

I think what you did was awesome, and I thank you for it.

:toast:

[Tyler Durden]

2. In the words of Oskar Schindler, "I could have done more."

That is why I now do what I do (which I will keep to myself: it is not for credit, and I tell no one).

It isn't enough. It's NEVER enough. God whoever/whatever he/she is, bless tmfun, and forgive me.

It's never enough.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

4. I Did Want To Add, That Living In My Car Did Cause Me To Worship Waitresses As Human Beings.

Overall, they were the only real people that ever truly reached out. They'd let me sit in the diner booth for as long as I wanted at night, while giving me free coffee. I know it wasn't much, but it was a lot more respect then any other strangers would give. To this day I make sure I tip waitresses as much as I can just out of a lasting subliminal respect I have for the respect they gave me then. You'd be surprised how valuable a place to hang out at night while having fresh cups of coffee can be in the dead of winter.

[Tyler Durden]

5. and kitchen help at chinese restaurants.

There were two in the city where I was homeless whose help would never let me leave hungry.

They will surely be escorted to the next level on re-incarnation, personally by the Buddha.

[Kali]

3. ...

thank you

[madmax]

6. I had just finished reading tmfun's post

and then I read this one. So now I'm on a crying jag, too. A lot of memories here, too. Bless you both. :grouphug:

[OffWithTheirHeads]

7. Thanks. Actually, your pm worked just fine

And made me cry again.

[laylah]

8. While I am currently fearing winding up

living in my faithful '84 VW Westy, I think of that Thanksgiving about 12 years ago when my wonderful daughter, Kaghime, her younger sister, and I were going to the store to complete the menu for our Thanksgiving dinner. It was early evening and as we drove into the grocery store lot, my youngest (who was 8 or 9 at the time), spotted someone digging food out of the dumpster. Even at such a young age, it traumatized her so, sending her into heartbroken sobs, not being able to understand how anyone would have to do that. Thus began our yearly tradition of donating lots of food to the shelters to help those less fortunate, have a decent Thanksgiving meal.

I raised two daughters with hearts of gold, and it sounds like you are cut from the same cloth, Tyler. Bless you...

Jenn

[11 Bravo]

9. You are a good man, sir.

I am proud to be a part of a community that includes people such as yourself.