My parents, shortly after they married...in 1953

My parents, shortly after they married...in 1953
Frances Mary Turri and Herbert Pompeii Pilato, in 1953, shortly after they married.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Pear Story

I decided to take a walk this morning.

Like I do most mornings.

But this morning, I also decided to pack for my walk.

To "fanny pack". More specifically, to "wear" a fanny pack.

You know...one of those "belt thingy" packs that people used to wrap around their waists in the '80s. (Or was it in the '90s?)

Anyway, as I prepared for my walk, I began to fill my fanny-pack

Since I was planning on walking to St. Coleman's Church in Pompano Beach, I thought first to include my rosary beads (which once belonged to my Mom, God bless her) and my prayer to St. Joseph (for new and continued employment).

Also stuffed in the "pack": My keys, Tic-Tacs, sun-glasses, reading-glasses, aloe-vera vitamin sunscreen and balm, a pen and little notebook, my cell-phone, a $5.00 bill...and a pear.

Just in case I got hungry.

And soon, I was off.

The path from Harbor Drive where I live to St. Coleman's is busy and great. Pretty and yet traffic-mangled.

But nonetheless, I moved forward.

That is, until a homeless man who passed by me with a cordial greeting of "Good Morning!"

I kept walking, and then suddenly stopped. And thought of giving him my pear...my $5.00 bill...and even my Tic-Tacs.

"But what if I get hungry?...For a pear or a Tic-Tac?...Or if I want to buy a bottle of water or another snack?

All of that, of course, would be taken care of when I returned to my home.

That was the point. I had a home to go to, filled with food and shelter.

The home-LESS man did not.

So, I called out to him, "Hey...Bro...would you like this pear? And how 'bout these Tic-Tacs? And here's a little bit money, too. It's just $5.00...but it should help a little bit for you today."

"Thank you, Sir," the man replied.

And I continued on my way...to St. Coleman's...to pray...in gratitude...for all of the blessings that I have. Knowing that it's the little things in life that mean the most.

I didn't change that man's life forever. But at least I did for a morning...and maybe the whole afternoon.

Either way, whether in some large or small way, I just knew...in my heart...that when we take care of others...God will take care of us.