To the editor:

The other day I was on my way to work and I noticed a rare sight in Scarborough. I passed a homeless man walking along the side of Route 1. Earlier that morning my wife and I had been talking about a story she had read about a woman who was given some very bad news about her health.
Instead of letting her news define her she decided to stop focusing on herself and instead give something of herself to someone else every day for a month. When she realized how good it made her feel she kept on doing it. This story inspired me so much that after passing the drifter and getting all the way to work I had this profound urge to turn around and do something kind – and useful – for him.
I decided this time that I wasn’t going to be that guy who is too busy to act on that impulse to help, who gets to work and thinks “maybe someone else will do it.” I turned my car around and headed for home to collect a few articles of warm clothing that I hoped he would accept from me. I drove by where I saw him last but he wasn’t there.
After driving a little farther, I saw him, so I pulled over and approached him. I asked him if it would be okay with him if I gave him a couple of warm coats and gloves since it was getting colder. “Seems like a good idea to me,” he said in a gruff but kind voice that reminded me a bit of my father-in-law. I told him to take care of himself and stay warm.
As I drove back to work I found myself feeling guilty about feeling good about what I had done – kind of like congratulating myself for being a human being. But, isn’t that the point? That is a feeling that I could get used to. This is the season that encourages us to be the people we really want to be. It can be as simple as holding a door open for someone, smiling at a stranger or thanking a veteran.
I saw the man again today as he made his way along his stretch of Route 1, wearing his new parka and gloves. I smiled and then thought, I should have asked him his name. Next time!

Kevin Kingdon
Scarborough