To Give

We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.
-Mother Teresa-

Dublin is a rather small City compared to some of its global brothers or Sisters. Its Grey buildings often blackened by what seems to be at times constant rain. O'Connell street is its heart, It runs from North to South where it meets the constant eastward flowing artery of the river Liffey. This river was Once the bringer of Life To this City with it many streets still holding the title of Quay. Small as this city is it's not without its lost souls. People Whose presence are meet with an illusion of grandiose disdain. A people of nameless kings and easy forgotten faces.
Old Gus was one such individual who's name is clear in my mind. As a kid, I seen him featured in an advert on TV. The ad was for charity and asked simply that we remember these people in the cold short days of winter. The campaign was run for the St Vincent de Paul, as an awareness programme to their efforts to help impoverished people in society. Gus was the face that greeted us at that door, and to me he must have been a king of this other world.
I have walked many times about The streets lanes and Places of Dublin since then. The lessons of My Mothers generosity and compassion still fresh in my mind as she would remove some bread or biscuits from her shopping bag and leave them at the feet of the beggar or near their head if they were sleeping. No words were ever spoken, no looks exchanged or gratitudes expected. To me it was all done with Love as if I were watching someone fulfil a contract with their God. I have tried to feel this love as I make feeble attempts to do the same, and set example for my children. Perhaps I do not know myself well enough or know my God at all if he exists. All I have to offer is Pale shades of rich-tea and sympathy . Not much in comparison to the Simon Community who run soup kitchens and support shelters. But I do not think I could sleep If I did not try.
When I worked early morning delivery in the city centre I would finish at 9am just as the world was waking. I would see angry shop owners arrive at their shop doors softly kicking and ordering sleeping homeless people to Vacate as was the order of the day for both knew that shopping had to be done and people had to come and go. The homeless would disappear into the ever growing furrow of blinkered people to be forgotten by all. Once I caught sight of two migrant people hide shoes at a side ally to shop I was delivering. I remember thinking to myself, "I will never give to anyone with no shoes or even Foreign beggars for that matter." I thought about this long and hard I knew a poison of sorts had entered my mind. I mused over the problem unable to find a solution. I then remembered my mothers contract. Her silence and the reverence in which she gave. I knew then that She was in fact in her wisdom putting the food in the hands of God, Faith or Destiny which ever one makes you understand Humanity that bit easily . She had done her best. As do I no judgement no after thought just giving.
Don't forget your bed hats and socks tonight keep warm and safe.

If you can buy a sandwich and give it to someone cold or hungry. It may help