Friday 55 & Da Count-A Sense of Service

FRIDAY 55

A man hobbles through the chow line,
waiting for the first good meal he's had in a while.
His feet are covered in blisters
instead of clad with shoes.
A boy serving food
notices the man's feet,
asks if he may help,
then removes his own shoes
to give to someone
who needs them more.


DA COUNT

Last week while I was at the beach, Diana was on a trip with friends and Calypso was staying elsewhere because I couldn't convince her to come to the beach. At the same time Mr. Lime and Isaac were on a work trip to New Orleans. Yes, this many years later there is still work to be done in cleaning up and repairing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. I have not gone mainly because the mode of transportation (over 24 hours driving straight through) would demolish my back to the point of rendering me useless as a worker and the proliferation of mold is more than I think my lungs could handle as well. Mr. Lime and each of the girls have gone more than once. Last week was Isaac's first visit.

I knew it would be an eye opening experience for Isaac to see the destruction and the poverty in the areas where they'd be working (Lower 9th Ward). I know he's a hard worker and does not shirk from physical labor (paraphernalia left strewn around the living room notwithstanding). His dad has also been working with him ahead of time on various odd jobs locally to give him practical experience in some of the construction type skills he'd need. I'm told he did drywalling, spackling, flooring, and scrubbed out a particularly vile mosquito breeding ground which was formerly a swimming pool all with a good attitude and to the best of his ability. I was glad to hear that but not surprised. The group he was with also prepared and served meals as part of a soup kitchen for the homeless and needy.

What moved me to tears was hearing the above story I related in the 55 when Mr. Lime called to tell me what our boy had done. No one asked him to give his sneakers. Isaac saw another human being in distress and decided on his own to do what was within his power to alleviate it even at personal cost. Some may be inclined to say it was pointless because there are so many other people with needs that it makes no difference or that maybe my boy was manipulated. Some may ask if he plans to give away his shoes to every barefooted homeless man he ever sees. None of that matters. It made a difference to the man who received the shoes and I could not possibly be prouder of a young man with a compassionate heart who is moved to practical action.