Nolan recently learned about homeless people. Last weekend we were out for a Sunday stroll in our city's downtown drag and he spied a man covered in blankets sleeping on the bench. The man lives on this main street so we've seen him before. But this was the first time Nol asked about him.
"Why is he sleeping on the bench?" he asked.
"Because he has no place to live," we replied, going on to explain how he has no home, perhaps very little money, and how lucky we are to have our house that protects us. The discussion went on for about 10 minutes and then Nol moved on to his next subject.
Fast forward to today. I took Nol out today to run some last-minute errands. We had to stop on that main street again. Nol asked where the "man was that sleeps on the bench." And he happened to be standing directly in front of our parking space.
"But Nol," I reminded him, "it's not nice to talk about him."
"No Mommy," he replied softly. "I was just thinking about a way that we can help him."
And it took every iota of my strength to stop myself from crying.
"How would you like to help him?"
"I would like to ask construction workers to build him a house," he answered, a plan already in place.
"That's really sweet, Nol, but mommy and daddy don't have the money to build him a house."
"Mom, I will give him my piggy bank."
Again, putting me on the edge of tears. I saw a Starbucks nearby. I asked Nol what he thought of getting this man a gift card to make sure he could have some food. Nol liked that idea, so we went into the store and made our purchase. As we approached the homeless gentleman, Nol whispered, "Mommy, YOU tell him." And so I did.
"Sir, my son really wants to help you this Christmas so we bought you this card."
And the man smiled, giggled in what I took to be amusement, and went on his way.
I asked Nol if he felt better knowing that he tried to help the man who didn't have a home.
"Yes, and now he will be able to buy lunch and dinner and a sweet drink for dessert. And his bones will stay strong."
I'm not sure how Nol will react when he sees the man the next time we're out and about. But my son, he has this big, sweet, giving heart. I home it stays with him forever.
