ALFRED
The place where I sometimes eat lunch and sometimes get some writing done in the process, I’ve written about before. It’s a place not too far from my house. It’s a clean orange brick strip mall, not too big, not too small.
There’s a FedEx right next door to my eatery, where I get copies made and send some packages across the state and sometimes across the country, to arrive at someone’s business or home in less than a day.
Across the parking lot from my favorite express lunch restaurant is a Starbucks. I have a fair amount of meetings there as well, some personal and some business. Three doors down from my lunch spot was a pizza place where my family would sometimes get Sunday dinner. It closed down a few months ago…
What I haven’t written about in the past in describing my lunch hide-a-way is the man who about 25 percent of the time sits between my hide-a-way and FedEx. He usually avoids making eye contact with me, but not this day.
I had just sent off a FedEx package and was “Starvin’-Like-Marvin.” My usual approach to one destination or the other was from the parking lot in a direct line to the front door. This day my approach would be different. After dropping the package, my path to my next door lunch would take me within a couple of feet of Alfred.
I’ve watched Alfred for some time. I’ve known for quite some time that I would write about him, I just needed to know something about him before I did. “Can you help me out with some money”? He asked as I approached. I could barely understand him.
“I don’t have any change right now,” I answered in a true statement, looking for his reaction. “OK,” he mumbled. “I’ll catch you on the way out.” I quickly added. “OK,” – “Sure,” he replied in a pleasant tone with the sound of marbles in his mouth and gravel in his throat, as he didn’t attempt to hide a mouth with almost no visible teeth.
“What’s that number on the side of your bucket mean”? I asked as I eyed the faded number 31 on the side of the bucket. “Oh, I don’t know”? – “I’ve had this bucket so long I don’t remember,” he mused.
“What’s your name,” I asked. “Alfred,” was his mumbled reply. “I’m Floyd”! – “Pleased to meet you,” I added as I shook his hand. After a few more exchanged statements, and off I went. I know from past experience a person asking passer-by’s for money won’t leave in fear of losing potential income or their spot.
Alfred looked surprised as I approached him after lunch. “Here you go,” I said. He graciously accepted it and added with surprising emotion, “God bless you for this”! Alfred doesn’t know that under the circumstances, I’m not expecting anything from God. If I were I wouldn’t be sharing the story now, I was hoping for understanding and more wisdom.
I talked with Alfred for a few minutes. He showed me his small right leg and the scars from surgery. I listened and made mental notes as he talked. For all Al lacked, his cane was one of the nicest I’ve ever seen, not that I’m a cane expert.
I asked Alfred where he lived. The area of the city he told me he lived in is by the library downtown. I know that area. I’ve been down there on a few occasions with my family handing out supplies to the homeless. That neighborhood is homeless central in this city.
“God bless you my friend”! Alfred mumbled through the two teeth he had left in his head as I walked away.
Homeless people are nothing new… Jesus Christ told us they would be a constant in this world. So what’s the connection? After all, we’re not so different, all of us. Alfred could represent the poor in spirit. It would do my heart good to see him comforted.
Maybe the connection is; we’re all connected? Similar to the social media that I struggle to grasp that this post is using to connect all of us right now?
You, the reader, through this post now know of Alfred and are somehow connected with him through you and I and this form of communication and connection?
Drop me a line…
I’ll tell Alfred you said hi…
Holly Restifo
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:03 am
I have a “Sam”. He comes into bonds and fines almost everyday to borrow the restroom key to take his birdbath. He is generaly gruff with most of the other employees that work the same window as I. I’ve taken the approach to say “hello Sam” whenever he comes in, and ask him how he is doing that day. He seems to have taken a shine to me…. One day I was driving to work, at the intersection of 1st Ave. and Washington, I was stopped at a red light, and there he was, walking the street, more than likely on his way to Bonds and Fines for his morning ritual. I rolled my window down a bit to say “hello”, he smiled so big and came over to say “hello ” back, then proceeded to ask if I had any money (I don’t carry cash very often, and today was a day I had none), I told him I only had change, he said he would like to have it, so I empited out my coing purse and gave him all I had. He was so happy to have it, and thanked me profusely, it gave me a good feeling to share what I had with him, and to know in a small way, I made a difference in his day.
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:22 am
Good for you Holly. I know you have a great heart. Of all the gifts you have in this life, that could be your best. Tell Sam a hello for me.
Cindy Holman
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:10 am
I’m so glad you wrote about Alfred. Yes there’s an Alfred in every town. My husband works in downtown Seattle after hours – doing windows for Starbucks (his moonlighting gig in between weddings and funerals) and he encounters many homeless people. He comes home with many colorful stories. It does not bother him – or make him uncomfortable – until they ask for money and are quite BOLD in their approach. One man asked him, when Greg said he had no change on him, if he had plastic and pointed to an ATM machine across the street. It’s stories like these that are a turn off for people – not the story above that you mentioned. And you are right – the homeless and the poor will and always have been with us. Showing genuine interest, love and concern is the right way to deal with them – and I appreciate so much that you went out of your way to do the right thing and be kind – but it isn’t always an easy thing to do – because it takes us out of our comfort zone – and we DO like being comfortable 🙂 Please say hello to Alfred for me 🙂
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 10:27 am
Thanks Cindy. Your husband doesn’t look like the type to get rattled in any situation. The ones that are just mad and get ugly I won’t take the time for. It is definitely an imposition to take the time out of a busy schedule to interact with them, but it helps keep us grounded. When I see these people I think to myself, “But by the grace of God, ther go I.”
I’ll tell Alfred my friend said hello for you.
SethC
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 12:55 pm
Great story. It’s awesome to hear stories of not only reaching out to help those who genuinely need it, but building a relationship with them. I never mind helping someone out, the only thing that drives me crazy is when they turn around and ask me for more. It’s a fine line to walk, and I sure don’t have it figured out, but Floyd it sounds like you did a great job ministering to Alfred. Tell him hi for me 🙂
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 2:37 pm
Will do! Thanks Seth! One of these days I’m sure we’ll have lunch together. Some of them can be a little pushy. Downtown some of them even bully the others. The world is the world whichever part of it we’re in.
Lenna Wyatt
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 5:40 pm
I give to the Phoenix Rescue Mission and especially the Thanksgiving dinner each year. It’s a safe way to give. Because I have a homeless woman in the novel I’m writing I did some research. My heart goes out to men like Alfred, but women have it much harder when they get to a certain age. Many of these older women were abandoned by a husband or divorced for another woman and were raised in an era when they depended on their husband for everything, having no resources of their own. They often don’t even know how to get a fair share of the couple’s assets. These are the forgotten ones, I think, and we need to earnestly reach out to them through some of these shelters and church groups that help.
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 6:34 pm
I agree Lenna. Having read the first three chapters of your novel, I was thinking the exact same thing. Years ago during the summer we were down around the library passing out things for the homeless. Right after we ran out of supplies, a women came around looking for help. My heart was breaking for her. The next day, which was a Monday, I sent my oldest daughters down with more supplies to find her. They never did… They still talk about her… When I think of her and her face I still see, it causes a lump in my throat…
Hazel
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 5:48 pm
We had an Indian gentleman who sat on the Post Office steps. He did not ask for money but was a character of the neighborhood. At night he would walk to our local rescue mission for a meal and bed. I have several ministries (Missionaries) that I donate to every month. Recently I included another one that is our local rescue mission. I realized that I needed to “give” at home as well as abroad.
The last time I was directly approached was by a woman in the parking lot as I came our of the dollar store. She said she was hungry. I invited her to get in my car and I would take her to the drive through across the street and get her a burger. I told her I would not order her a drink, because drinks are overprices and we do not order drinks when we get our burgers. She was fine with that and away we went. She seemed appreciative as I handed her the burger and she thanked me.
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 6:37 pm
Good for you Hazel! I’m not surprised… Although inconvenient, it does something inside us that only God can explain… Hopefully while your downtown you don’t squirt water at any bus drivers! For those who don’t know what I’m writing about, you’ll have to check out Hazel’s last post. It’s too funny! And has a great lesson…
patty
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 7:50 pm
Floyd ,
You are a good man we need more like you ,loved your story say hi for me too.
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 8:23 pm
Thanks Patty, I’d love too! Love that heart!!!
Nancy Kehr
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 7:51 pm
Well…I just wrote you a big long “atta Boy” on this piece, but neglected to save it… Arrrrg!
Now I must run out and do some errands, so I have to make it brief. “If you have done it until the least of these …you have done it unto me”…..Jesus was right there working thru you….YOU were obedient.
On the way to church one morning, we had a nudge to turn off into a slummy area. Since we always have food and personal care bags already made up in the back of my truck, we were already prepared. As we drove slowly, I called out, “I have food”…and person upon person came out of nowhere! We ministered to as many as we could and , that dear Floyd, is how we “went to church” one day. You know, I probably should write about that one, becasue some interesting things occurred.. LOL! Good job with Alfred!
Floyd
Friday, August 12, 2011 @ 8:26 pm
I loved one of your posts about the cold night and you and your husband finding the guy with no shoes on. I still remember it. It was powerful… This seems to be more your gift than mine. I dearly appreciate you and your husband’s hearts. They are the best of what passed out in this world. Thanks Nancy.
Jo_of_TSN
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 6:08 pm
Every city has an Alfred, and every Alfred has a story. Thank you for sharing his story with us, so we remember to reach out to our Alfreds as you have to yours.
The city that I used to live in had a very visible homeless population; I often carried fast-food gift cards to give out to those who needed them. A few times I started conversations after I saw the same person twice, but many were too migrant to really get to know. Others joined my church and became part of our congregation.
My new city’s homeless are less visible, but maybe I should be looking harder. Thanks for the reminder.
Floyd
Saturday, August 13, 2011 @ 10:19 pm
I think God will provide or give you the desire when the time is right. I didn’t even know they had fast-food gift cards? Where have I been? I gotta get out from underneath this rock once in a while… Thanks Jo.
Jo_of_TSN
Monday, August 15, 2011 @ 6:15 pm
Oh yeah, it’s great. Solves the “what if they spend it on booze” dilemma, although personally, I don’t mind giving cash, either. At the end of the day, it’s between them and God.
Floyd
Monday, August 15, 2011 @ 6:42 pm
I think you have the perfect attitude. I feel the same way, just haven’t been able to put in that simple of terms! Thanks Jo!
Jake
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 3:05 pm
I have Renegade. He won’t tell most people his real name, so that’s what he goes by. He’s a tricky human to find when you want to, otherwise, he’s everywhere. I think these people represent fears the rest of us have. They look like the epitome of failure and make all of us want to work a little harder and save a little more money. I think we see circumstances more than humans if we’re not careful- at least, that’s what I think… you’re an exception. Boise has so many people out with their cardboard signs and buckets right now that the police and rescue mission have started a program together, trying to get people to donate to the ministry rather than the person directly. It’s fascinating and part of me understands why but at the same time, it’s hard to look at them, walk or drive past them and not do much about it.
Floyd
Sunday, August 14, 2011 @ 4:32 pm
I remember your story and your hunt for Renegade. For all that we can be in negative ways, our true heart shows when we see people less fortunate than us. For as much as I struggle to have a heart for the proud, my heart melts for the down trodden, even when they chose it, for whatever reason.