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Day 235: Joe

I have an appointment for a blood panel this morning. I've been fasting for over 12 hours. No big deal. I've trained myself to avoid eating in the evening. I'm drinking copious amounts of water.

After my appointment I am going to have a light breakfast and hit the gym with a vengeance.

I was so tired yesterday. I had just gone to Mass and was at Fred Meyer, buying beef and potatoes for another stew when my daughter called to ask about the plan for the day.We had planned on going to the gym. I told her I needed to get the stew into the crockpot. Then we would run to the gym before visiting Grandma and Grandpa. I paid for my groceries.  I walked across the street to wait for the bus home.

I had an interesting commute. I will end my blog with this account. It was very bittersweet.

I met a young man at the bus stop. He wore a dirty, raggedy long jacket. His hair was a mess. He was carrying a shopping bag.

He looked at me with the most beautiful deep blue eyes and said, "Excuse me, Miss. Do you have an extra bus pass?"

I told him I didn't. He was visibly distraught. He started ranting about how everyone was against him - he had a check that no one would cash- and he was at the end of his rope, ready to start killing people. Then he started crying. I told him to take a deep breath, and not to think about killing people.

He looked at me and said,"I'm so sorry."

 I told him to hold out his hand. Thankfully I had an extra pair of gloves. And a package of cookies I carry for hungry people. I plopped them into his cold, dirty hands. Then I dug out all the change I could find in the bottom of my purse.

 "I hope this helps", I said.

He smiled. I asked him his name. He looked surprised and said,"Joe".

I held out my hand and said, "Hi Joe, I'm Zita".

He shook my hand very enthusiastically. His hand was cold. Like ice.The bus pulled up and we boarded together.

He looked at me shyly and said, "I am so sorry about all that cussing back there".

I told him it was ok. It sounded like he was having a bad day. I told him I would pray for him, if he didn't mind.

He said, "Ok, but I'm kind of mad at him right now".

We got to my stop.

 "There is always hope", I said.

He smiled and nodded .

I waved goodbye. I looked back and he was still smiling.

God bless Joe and all the hopeless and downhearted today.

Z


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