When I’m out
and talking to homeless or people in need I have shared laughter, tears and
hugs of gratefulness. So many emotions sometimes when someone wants to sit and
talk all about their story. I have often thought if more people could share
this they would work as hard as I do to help that many more. I was very
inspired when I read two stories that were sent to me within the last 24 hours.
I’m going to share them here and maybe you’ll be inspired as I was.
The first
one comes from a great person that has helped me many of time with doing things
for the homeless and even doing the ‘Pie and Coke’ with me.
Here’s a story
by Benedikte Palings
After a
coffee with Cornelia I walked to the Valley Station and there was a skinny,
elderly Aboriginal guy sitting on the ground asking for money. I asked if I
could get him something to eat instead, and he said “Yes please, I’m starving”.
He said he couldn’t walk very well because he was nearly blind. I asked what he
would like, and he said “something hot”. I asked if he would like a burger, and
he did. He also asked for a soft drink. I said I’d get something and I would
come back.
I went into
the Station hall where there is a KFC, and got him a combo meal. He had not
expected I would return, and when I announced myself he said “Awww, you come
back”. I put the burger and the chips in his hand, told him what it was. I
could see his excitement when he felt the food in his hand. He put it very
close to him on the ground. Then I got him the pepsi and two of those little
wet towels to clean his hands. OMG Grant, he was so happy. Had one tear rolling
down his check and he said “May God bless you, you are my Angel. I love you”.
He had me close to tears as well! Just a little meal for under $6 became so
much more than that. Such a pity I was wearing a skirt and couldn’t sit on the
ground, otherwise I would have done the whole pie n coke thing with him.
It was
really, really moving how happy he was, like I had done something HUGE. And if
I had not met you Grant this would not have happened. I would have walked
pasted him, how sad is that... I was thinking of writing this experience on my
wall and encourage others to do the same (buying someone a feed), but not sure
if that would be appropriate. What do you think? I would really value your
opinion.
But thank
you, Best Bud, because you have opened my eyes to something that is truly sad
and urgent in our modern society and I am very grateful that you did, because I
won’t walk past with blinkers on anymore....
Benedikte is awesome and Ace’s in my
book.
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Now I’ll share a story written to me
by Deb Boundy who is such an inspiration to most that
would know her. She helps a great organization called Making a Difference - Brisbane
which helps so many people all the time and really does more than I do some
days.
Here’s Deb’s story that was written to
me.
Morning Grant,
I just wanted to let you know I did
something yesterday which made me feel good. There was a homeless man sitting
outside a shop in Logan, I said “good afternoon”to him and smiled at him. I
went inside the shop, the gentleman looked hungry so I bought him a hot wrap
and a iced coffee Breaka. Just thought I’d let you know. Was due to meeting you
that did this, in previous times I would have smiled and said afternoon but not
bought anything. Thank you Grant.
They don’t come nicer then these two ladies. There
awesome and I’m proud to just know them and the fact their doing the same as me
and helping wherever they can for people in need and homeless.
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Now I do have some very good news. I
went to the specialist on Friday morning and over the last 6 weeks my red cell
count has come downward and the treatment is working well, now I’m doing the
treatment for another 6 weeks and then look at the results again. I knew I
would get through this, I wasn’t going to quit or give up. Haha. I’m not out of
the woods yet but it’s a positive turn. I wanted to thank all those that sent
emails and things.
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More good news to come. The donation
button has collected a total of $618 (Mostly thanks to Sally Piracha) towards building that coffee cart which will
help people in need by giving experience and a job.
I’d like to thank you all for reading
my blog and I hope you all have a great day. This post may inspire others to help others in need so please share using the buttons below.
Grant the Polite Guy.
Hello all, this is Benedikte Palings who sent Grant the message that he posted above (first one). I just wanted to say that Grant is one of the kindest, biggest-hearted and most genuine people you could ever meet. At the moment, he is working on a coffee-cart project that will help homeless and other disadvantaged people get work in the hospitality industry. The idea is to have a coffee cart run by homeless and/or disadvantaged people who want to move forward with their lives. Most things are in place, from the training to the venue where the coffee cart is going to be. All that is needed is for the coffee cart itself to be built. As Grant says, $618 has already been raised, which is great. However, building the coffee cart costs quite a bit more than that. So please, if you are interested in helping homeless and other disadvantaged people - and most likely you are because you are reading this blog - donate if you can, by using the donation button in the left top corner of the screen. Every dollar helps. The money will go towards this great coffee cart project. With all the donations it will be a community project: from the community for the community. What more can we want... Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat stories Grant.
ReplyDeleteAlways bringing a smile!