The importance of showing kindness

In reading the article, “Raising awareness: youth homelessness” (AJN Melbourne 02/05) highlighting the support of the Gandel Foundation to tackle the scourge of young people experiencing homelessness, through initiatives such as ‘Sleep At The ‘G’ (MCG) May 15, my mind was transported to a recent encounter.

It was shortly after Pesach as I was walking to an appointment – I noticed a young man sitting, wrapped in a blanket, his few possessions strewn nearby on the footpath, holding a sign explaining his predicament. His temporary “camp” was outside the Woolworths store in the affluent Hawksburn Village – stylishly groomed locals, many Jewish, in this area rich with those of our persuasion, dashing past – “trendy” dogs tied nearby. Many clues illustrated the plight of this hapless human, sitting among the busyness of a Thursday afternoon, but there’s no need to mention them – to do so would be to betray the dignity of this stranger.

Like many, I don’t carry much cash these days, and always find it disturbing to walk past a homeless man or woman – but sometimes I do, I must admit. My reasons vary: I’m in a hurry, my mind’s elsewhere, I’m talking with a friend – and I never know how much to give. Whether it’s a $2 coin, a $10 note, or more, I always feel it’s not enough. But perhaps it’s just that I don’t want to face their gruesome reality. And my gut tells me that more valuable than any amount could be, is simply acknowledgement – a hello or even just a smile.

On this particular day I didn’t have time – but later, having returned to the village, I stopped for a sandwich in a charming family-run cafe.

Revived, I continued my walk, spotting the homeless man again still outside Woolies. This time, doing something I’ve done before, I asked his name and if he’d like something to eat and drink. You’d think I’d handed him a $100 note – so grateful, he told me his name was David, appearing pleased too to learn mine. He requested a flat white with four sugars! When I gasped at the idea of four sugars, he smiled, explaining he needed to make himself sweeter.