Valerie Jones's Blog
Have a Fine '09! / 02.02.09, 11:43 AM
Monday, January 12 as I was downtown using my Sabbath wisely (free internet at the library and a meal that I didn’t have to prepare myself) I met a man named David selling Streetwise. [Streetwise is a magazine that “helps people help themselves to self-sufficiency through gainful employment.” The Streetwise vendors are typically poor or homeless. The vendors buy the magazine for 75 cents and, since the magazine cost $2, the other $1.25 goes directly to them.]
Prior to meeting David I was walking trying to figure out where I wanted to eat lunch. When I began to walk by him I saw his magazines, told him I had no change (though I knew I probably did) and continued on my way.
While eating lunch I could not get this man off of my mind. He was standing in 20-some-odd degree weather with the remnants of Saturdays snow still all around and an occasional blast of cold wind that chills you to the bones all to earn some money to sustain himself. After not really enjoying my meal I decided to take some coffee to David and buy a magazine from him.
I am so grateful that I went back to talk to David. Being the self-righteous person I can be sometimes I thought this man would be so grateful to me, which he did thank me, but I never expected to be encouraged by him like I was.
David the Rainbow Guy (he was wearing a rainbow-colored scarf) was so full of life and passion even while standing in the blistering Chicago winter. His optimism was so inspiring. David kept saying that he was so happy it wasn’t currently raining or snowing and that he could handle the freezing cold any day.
Perhaps the thing David said that inspired me the most was the this year will be a “fine ’09.” He said, “last year was a great ’08 but this year, this year will be a fine ’09!!” This man is selling Streetwise because he is either poor or even homeless and he spoke confidently that ’09 will be fine.
I definitely pray it’s a fine ’09, not just for my loved ones and me but for David, too, a man struggling to make it in this life but somehow still managing to see every day as a blessing.
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Hello Valerie. I am so proud of you. You are following your convictions and faith. Your open heart and mind is awesome and you will reach many! I LOVE reading your newsletters.
By Phyllis Bell / Mar 7, 08:39 AM / #