Lucknow Sentinel, 2009-12-16, Page 5Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Page 5
The miracle of a Christmas downtown
BY MITE
'7'NEILL
Special to the
Sentinel
It had been a
good year. His net
worth, by even the
most conservative
estimates, had
topped the 10 mil-
lion dollar plateau.
He felt a certain
satisfaction that
he'd been right in
most of his finan-
cial decisions. But
healso felt there
was something
missing.
He had awak-
ened with the feel-
ing that more was
coming. It was a
feeling that more
inner comfort,
more self ` fulfill-
ment, more peace
lay in his path.
Heck, he didn't
know what to call
it, maybe more
good vibrations. It
was just a positive
feeling, and he
knew_ the cause.
Christmas g was
corning.
He rolled out of
bed, yawned and
stretched, and
started his morning
routine. He was
36, healthy and
single, and had
amassed his finan-
cial security by
being the first to
see trends, the first
to see changes on
the horizon, and
the first to do
something when it
was a good idea.
But recently, it
hadn't seemed to
be as satisfying as
it was when he first
started. Today was
the beginning of
what had become
an annual practice.
After a self made
breakfast, he
climbed into a late
model SUV and
headed toward the
mall on the edge of
the city's core. He
parked in an area
that would be well
lit upon his return,
grabbed his worn
backpack and
headed for the sub-
way. He didn't get
to ride it very
often, so he took
the time to watch
the people who
did. He liked peo-
ple. He often won-
dered what their
everyday lives
were like, and
what the future
held . for them. He
could ^ tell the . dif-
ferent types , :that
would be riding
this • morning.
There would be.
students, young
people in white
collar jobs, retired
people, and the
impoverished try-
ing to stay warm.
In the morning
things were gener-
ally safe and not
crowded. He man-
aged to get to. his
stop without hav-
ing to bump shoul-
ders with anybody
who hadn't had a
bath in a {while.
Once off the
underground train
he walked easily to
a corner fast food
outlet and bought a
coffee to go and
watched more peo-
ple. Then he went
to the washroom
and changed into
his downtown per-
sona. What.
emerged was
entirely different
than what entered.
He smiled to him-
self at what he con-
sidered his person-
al metamorphosis.
He'd taken an old
set of clothes out
of the backpack
and changed into
what would be
seen as an out -of -
work, middle aged
man in need of
help. He walked
slowly out to the
sidewalk and head-
ed downtown. He
finished his coffee
and then stopped at
a fountain to wash
out the cup. Soon
he was at a street
corner in the heart
of the financial
district, holding
out the . empty cup
and peering from
under the peak of a
battered ball cap.
For a few years
now he had been
perfecting his tech-
nique. He never
was pushy, never
offensive, never
looked people in
the eye, and
always mumbled ;a
thank you.
.Morning rush hour
was best, until a
policeman would
come and move
him along. He
soon was able to
pick out the routes
and often moved
before the law got
there. He'd go to a
different spot and
find more people
ready to hand out a
bit of change. Then
he'd go over to one
of the missions and
have a free meal.
Afternoon would
be a repeat of the
morning until he'd
sufficiently tapped
the keg of human
kindness for anoth-
er day: Then he'd
head further into
the core until he'd
find a few men
standing around a
burn barrel and
he'd stand with
them and do a bit
of small talk. They
seemed to accept
him and didn't ask
questions. He'd
just say that he was
going over to soup
kitchen and get
something warm to
eat. Then he'd
leave and wander
slowly to one of
the local charity
spots and go in as
though he was a
regular.
He entered and
walked slowly
along the side wall
until he came to a
door marked
"Private" and
pushed through it.
• He said "Hello,
Maria. Merry
Christmas."
The young
woman looked up
and a beautiful
smile lit the whole
room. She stood
and quickly round-
ed the desk she'd
been working at
and embraced him.
"Welcome back,
Michael.
Christopher and
his dad have been
asking about you."'
"How are Joe
and the boy
doing?".
"Okay. But it is a
real struggle."
"Well, here's
what I got today,
and this cheque is
the interest from
one of my smarter
investments."
Maria looked up
into his eyes. "You
are the most gener-
ous man next ` to
Joe I've ever met.
Why hasn't some-
one snapped you
up and bundled
you home to
mom?"
"Because first
you need :: to want
to be snapped up."
Be paused.
"Maybe someday."
LY, i
•
41,
Pitt
eX
Seeided4
•
•
We're proud to serve this fine
community and wish all our
neighbours peace and contentment
during this Christmas season.
May cherished memories of loved
ones bring you comfort at This time.
Bob MacKenzie
Joan & John Pollard
Amy & Steve Fry
Jeff & Maryellen Pollard •
MacKenzie & McCreath
Funeral domes Ltd.
• Lucknow • Ripley
Photo by Ganit Reid,
The Nile United Church received a cash donation from the
Dungannon ins Club that will go towards renovations at the
church. Past Lions president Barb Smyth (right) hands the dona-
tion to !ferns .Boisclair, the head of stewards for the church - dur-
ing coli at the Dungannon Seniors Centre on Nov.26.
To all of those who have passed bythis way,
Go our very best wishes for e bright holiday -
For your support and goodwill too,
We're very graiefrl to each one of you!
a long term care residence
519-528-2820