A helping hand

[Frank MacDuffy]

You're on the path to Sainthood my man! May God bless you for what you've done, it really is a wonderful thing to hear of people who've never known each other helping in such ways. You took a risk taking them into your own home, and you'll be rewarded for what you've done!

Light shines in darkest places
to illuminate those who persevere,
to illuminate those faces
of those who do not fear.

[Derek]

I too am speechless .. God bless you
Derek

[Tattoo Bradley]

Reading that choked me up, and I (embarrased to say now) am usually quite heartless to the homeless... You're a good man.

[David Dalglish]

Thats a wonderful thing you have done to help your fellow man. Very well done indeed to you & your wife.

[Erisianmonkey]

Reading that choked me up, and I (embarrased to say now) am usually quite heartless to the homeless... You're a good man.

I don't think you really mean heartless to the homeless necessarily, but "heartless" to panhandlers. If that is what you mean, I don't really think you should be sorry. I was homeless at one point in my life. I slept under a bridge, took showers in a laundromat that I found that had them, and ate usually only once a day at a soup kitchen. I worked odd jobs when I could get them, but my health wouldn't always let me. One thing I can tell you I never did was panhandle. I borrowed money from a few people, but I was never one of the people on the street asking for spare change. I don't have much sympathy for them because there are ways to get help finding jobs etc., and almost every city with a population of over 15,000 has a soup kitchen where they can get food and clothing that has been donated by people. Panhandling just isn't necessary.

This by no means invalidates what Darrell has done. Indeed, it highlights it. I don't think these folks were coming up to him looking for a handout (if I read the post correctly), but rather he was moved by their plight and decided to give them a hand up. (And may the Gods bless him for it!)

[NewKilt]

I don't think you really mean heartless to the homeless necessarily, but "heartless" to panhandlers. If that is what you mean, I don't really think you should be sorry. I was homeless at one point in my life. I slept under a bridge, took showers in a laundromat that I found that had them, and ate usually only once a day at a soup kitchen. I worked odd jobs when I could get them, but my health wouldn't always let me. One thing I can tell you I never did was panhandle. I borrowed money from a few people, but I was never one of the people on the street asking for spare change. I don't have much sympathy for them because there are ways to get help finding jobs etc., and almost every city with a population of over 15,000 has a soup kitchen where they can get food and clothing that has been donated by people. Panhandling just isn't necessary.

This by no means invalidates what Darrell has done. Indeed, it highlights it. I don't think these folks were coming up to him looking for a handout (if I read the post correctly), but rather he was moved by their plight and decided to give them a hand up. (And may the Gods bless him for it!)

One thing these folks related to me is that there are the panhandlers out there, there are dangerous people out there, and then there are good people that through no fault of their own, have become homeless. They said that you get stereotyped as lazy, shiftless, or even dangerous.

They never once asked for a handout, or even mentioned that they were homeless - I brought that up. The man had a part-time job starting the very next day. I talked to them for quite some time before deciding that it was probably safe to take them home. They related that two things that make getting back on your feet difficult is having a place to stay on a regular basis, and having consistent transportation.

I appreciate all the kind comments. We've probably gotten off topic in that we are not talking about kilts. But, in many respects, the fact that I wear a kilt as my daily attire made some good things happen. It's sort of like the kilt again being worn into battle and helping to win a victory. Perhaps in this case, one small victory against homelessness.

I'm reminded of the WWI recruiting poster that features a kilted Irish piper, and has the phrase "The call to arms, Irishmen don't you hear it?"

Darrell

[starbkjrus]

I can't add much to what the others have posted, but well done! You, sir, are a true gentleman in every respect.

I'll just echo Al here. Guid on ye!

[McMurdo]

Thanks for the story it is truly heartwarming. I'm glad things are looking up for them.

[Kilted KT]

We now have another inspirational kiltie in our midsts. The more people out there who act like this fine gent, the better off the whole world will be!

I raise a dram to ya.

Slainte!

[GMan]

Good for you Darrell! As one who works with the homeless and homeless prevention here, all I can say is I wish we had more people like you!