Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BREATH (11/19/20)
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TITLE: The In-between | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gina Fifo
11/22/20 -
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It is what we do with our lives between that first and last breath that matters. God created the wonders of this earth and gave man dominion over it. That means we are to nurture and sustain God’s creation; but not just the physical earth – the seas, the land, the creatures – but also the humans that inhabit it. A gentleman we met understood that . . .
My daughter, grandson, Tyler, and I were delivering bagged lunches to the homeless in the inner city one Saturday afternoon. We were walking through the park and had just given our last meal to a lanky middle-aged man, who thanked us and continued to talk about how much our caring meant to him. His name was Cletus. After introductions were made, he talked mostly to Tyler, telling him how blessed he was to have a mother showing him the way to be kind and care about others. He encouraged him in no uncertain terms to stay clear of drugs and alcohol, which he admitted had been his downfall.
Cletus had on a ratty old jacket and tattered shoes. The wind was blowing and a hint of the cold days to come filled the air. The knit hat on his head, having seen better days, sported several holes. His clothing was stained and his teeth were either missing or loose enough to wiggle as he spoke. His eyes spoke of weariness, but his lips still stretched a smile.
A young teenage boy came into view and Cletus beckoned him over, “Hey, George! Gotcha somethin’.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an apple. “Got this yesterday and I know how much ya love ‘em, so I kep' it for ya.”
George mumbled his thanks, cast his eyes away from us and walked away. Cletus shook his head, “Feel right sorry fer that young man,” he said. “He had a rough life and now he out here on the streets.” He pulled his jacket across his chest against the chill. “Streets ain’t no place fer him. He jes a kid.”
A heavy-set woman approached our group, “Cletus,” she said, “You get a lunch, too?” She smiled at us and I remembered having met her on the other side of the park and giving her and a couple of other women one of our bags.
“Yeah, Flo, I surely did – what a blessin’, hey?” He gave her a hug and then said, “Hey, ‘member ya said ya need a hat and scarf for win'er? I gots ‘em for ya! Some kind people was here wit some stuff for us street folk.” Flo’s face lit up. “Right over there, under that there bench . . . “ Cletus pointed across the way. “In that black trash bag. There’s a nice warm hat and scarf ta go with it – go help yerself. They’s red.”
Flo nodded to us and hurried away. Cletus smiled. “I didn’t see her 'round when they’s was here, so I aksed if I could get her a couple things.”
“Did you get a new hat for yourself?” my grandson asked with concern.
“Nah,” Cletus said, pointing to his head. “I gots me a hat.” He chuckled and winked at Tyler, “I know -- gots a few holes in it, but it’ll do. Flo don’t got nothin’. More ‘portant to git fer her." He shrugged, "And I didn’t want to ‘peer greedy. Ya know?"
On the way home Tyler asked if we could get some hats, scarves and maybe gloves and bring them to the park for Cletus and anyone else who might need them. Cletus had made an impression on my grandson by being so kind and caring to others when he himself had so little.
One day we will exhale from this earthly life and step into eternity. When we do, we will account for the breathable time we were allotted. Will Jesus say to us, “Well done, my good and faithful servant”? I suspect he will to Cletus.
-Mostly fiction-
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