I used to live in Henderson, Nevada,
just next door to Las Vegas. My husband and I learned very quickly that the
town was full of con-artists, rip offs, scams and any other devious means
to get you and get you good. There are people who stand at the stop light
of freeway exits holding cardboard signs pleading for help. 'HOMELESS - PLEASE
HELP - GOD BLESS'. When they are offered a sandwich by a kind soul they refuse
it and demand money. Makes you wonder where they got that pack of cigarettes
in their shirt pocket and the 32 oz Big Gulp sitting at their feet.
These very same 'homeless' folks have been followed on different occasions
by suspicious news reporters. It's amazing to find out that these people
are far from homeless and are usually living better than you and me. Many
have been followed back to $250,000 homes with a Jaguar and a BMW in the
driveway. These cons actually get dirty for work instead taking a shower
like the rest of us.
Unfortunately for the real homeless
folks out there who would be very thankful for that half eaten Big Mac, these
cons are very real. Which leads me to my experience over Christmas of 1995.
We had only lived there for six months but had learned very quickly never
to trust a so-called-homeless person on their word. Until one special day,
my husband and I had been out Christmas shopping at Toys-R-Us. We had just
spent well over $200 on tons of toys for our two children. It would be an
awesome Christmas this year as work was going extremely well for my husband
and I had just started my new job.
Visit the
Hunger Site and help
feed the world's starving.
As we walked out of the store, there
on the curb, begging for a hand out, sat a man in his mid-thirties. Our age.
The weather was beautiful, it was 70-some degrees and the sun was high in
the sky. Yet this man had on a coat and a sweater and what appeared to be
several layers of shirts. His face was sad looking, tattered from the harsh
desert winds. All humility had left him, it was apparent. Beside him sat
his teenage daughter, probably 15. She held a cardboard sign that said 'HOMELESS
- PLEASE HELP - HUNGRY'.
The thing that really caught my eye though was the shopping cart filled with
all their worldly possessions. It was overflowing with blankets, coats, shoes,
pants. Amongst all that dirty and shabby clothing was a teddy bear. It's
face peeking out from the cart underneath a dirty brown jacket. One of it's
eyes were missing and it appeared to have lost some of it's stuffing. My
guess was this teddy belonged to the young girl sitting on the curb, sign
in hand. I imagined that it probably used to sit proudly upon a frilly lace
pillow amongst other stuffed animals in a young girl's yellow & white
bedroom. One that was only a memory now.
I watched shopper after shopper walk by this humble man and his tired child.
But not my husband. He stopped and handed the man a $20 bill. The man got
to his feet and shook my husband's hand and said "Thank you. Thank you so
much. This is very generous of you. You have no idea how many people walk
by and whip nickels at me and tell me to get a job and get a life. I can't
thank you enough." He had a tear in his eye as he smiled at my Knight In
Shining Armor.
He went on to tell my husband that he had only been homeless for a few months.
Him and his wife and daughter had moved to Las Vegas because they were told
the work was plentiful. Unfortunately things didn't work out for him. He
said that when things got tough his wife took off and things just went downhill
from there.
There are many lessons I have learned in this world. One is to be thankful
for what you have. I don't know whatever happened to that man, his daughter
and her tattered teddy bear, but I can only hope that things worked out for
them. I am thankful for a healthy, happy family and will never forget the
image of that day.
About the Author:
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine. Subscribe to her free newsletter by clicking "sign up" below
Fall Fun!
As the heat of summer becomes a memory autumn thoughts fill our minds. Whether you are looking for fun crafts, great recipes, or fall organizing tips, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...
Did you know that FamilyCorner has its own photo gallery? Did you know that YOU can upload your own photos to it? That's right, and it's completely free!
Here are some of the fun benefits of sharing your photos in our FC Gallery:
Send your own photos as an e-card
Watch slide shows
See beautiful sunsets and other great scenic shots
Brag about and share pictures of your loving pets
Share photos of your children and grandchildren
Create your own individual album and post in category albums
Keep your favorite pictures organized online
Rate images of other members
...more!
Join us in the FC Photo Gallery. It's completely free to use, just another fabulous reason to be a FamilyCorner subscriber.
Family Matters Radio
FMR is a nationally syndicated radio program developed to help you live your best life, hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. No rants and raves - you get enough of that from your kids. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
Missed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...
Start your own album by 
