Category — Soul Juice

Mistyglen's Rising Star a.k.a. Riser

I understood that living with an Irish Wolfhound would change my life. I did my research. I knew they were a rich man’s dog – expensive to buy, feed and maintain. I knew all about the special considerations necessary for his safe growth (Sleep! No running!), accommodation (Lots of space!), feeding (Moistened, elevated.), exercising (Not on pavement! NO RUNNING!), transportation (No Austin Mini for me!), veterinary care (Both arms, both legs, most of my stomach and my mother’s entire left half!) and comfort (Dog beds aren’t available in size ‘extra jumbo large’ but an overstuffed futon mattress is perfect). I knew my Gentle Giant would steal my heart and crush it entirely when he fell into his early grave.

Yes, siree! The very first time I looked into his mystical, golden eyes I understood that life as I knew it was about to change forever. I had no idea how much – no idea at all.

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Homeless and Hungry. Please help.

That’s what her sign said.

She was standing off the Whitemud (Edmonton, AB), clutching her cardboard plea for help as the wind tore at her clothing and the rain pelted at her face. But we didn’t even realize she was a woman – and a young one at that. No, we had mistaken her for a man.

The lengthy stream of cars continued to flow right on past him/her. Didn’t anybody see the hunger staring them straight in the face? Have they never been hungry? What if it was their mother? Father? Sister? Brother? Child? Friend?

Doesn’t anybody care?

We wondered if anybody would get him/her a sandwich. Maybe. Maybe not. But we had some pocket change. Why wonder if a hungry person will be fed when we have the power to make sure?

So that’s what we did. We headed to the nearest McDonald’s because we’d like a Big Mac if we were starving now, wouldn’t we?

One Big Mac Meal – Supersized, with a Coke
One hot, apple pie
What McDonald’s meant to me: $7.84
What McDonald’s meant to the hungry: ??!!!

I will never forget those pale, green-blue eyes and how they lowered when we approached, glancing at us quickly before returning to their humble, downcast retreat. And her beautiful, if somewhat hesitant, smile said it all. Still she thanked us. Once. Twice. Three times.

You’re welcome. And you’re not alone. In fact, any one of us could be you on any given day given the right circumstances. I’m so sorry about your luck.

So we left her with her Mickey D’s and headed our own, merry way without a backward glance, patting ourselves on the back for a good deed done. But how many good deeds are left undone? How many people are starving on the streets of this, our great country, that is supposed to be one of the wealthiest and most desirable places to live?

It only takes one voice to cry out and initiate change. It only takes one person to make a difference. One attitude, one simple act – yours.

You have the power to make a difference. If you would appreciate a hard-to-reach meal while starving and shivering on the city streets – afraid and alone – then I challenge you to step up to the plate and ‘do unto others’.

Feed the next homeless person you see. It doesn’t matter how they got to be there but only that they are there and they are hungry, God damn it! Tell your friends and have them pass it on.

If we each feed even just one person we can make a difference. No, we may not end world hunger but ending hunger for just one person is a step in the right direction.

What are you waiting for? Would you make your momma wait? Do it now. Please. Go on. Back away from the computer and do something truly useful with the minutes you may have spent perusing my site.