At about the same time everyday in our neighborhood, the dogs begin their chorus of barking, tails wagging, and mouths salivating because they've just heard the sound they live for. Smack! The sound of our neighbor's screen door closing. Our neighbor, Ed, is the all-around caretaker for every dog in the neighborhood (or at least in the 4 block radius where he walks everyday). He knows all their names, knows who likes to be scratched behind the ears, and has a pocket-full of treats on him at all times.
Our dog Charlie is convinced he's the favorite. And secretly he probably is, though Ed would never admit to playing favorites with 'his' dogs. Charlie gets the first treat on Ed's walk and then eagerly sits outside by the fence until Ed returns to give him another. When someone finds a dog that has escaped, we all call Ed to describe the dog and ask which house it belongs to. Ed knows everytime, of course and says, "Oh that's Molly, she lives at the second house from the corner, just say 'Molly, go home' and she'll go back on her own."
Not only is he a dog-whisperer, but he can fix and do about anything. He's the Ed of all trades! He has every tool we'd ever need and knows how to MacGyver any strange house project we ask about. He knows the history of every home on our block because he's lived in his house since the early 70's, when he retired. Every day in the summer, we meet by the fence and talk about the past. He was born in Boston and has the thick accent to prove it. We know he was once in the Navy because he has the worn tattoos on his arm. He drove a truck for many years, and retired to St. Louis because his daughter lives here. His wife, Jean, comes out to the fence too from time-to-time and visits with Charlie, but can't get around well due to her health.
They are the epitome of the cute old couple. Every Saturday night they do date night at Old Country Buffet. At about 4:30, he starts up the car, then goes inside and brings Jean out on his arm, helps her down the stairs and into the car. There is a lot we can learn from their marriage.
I love all of these things about Ed and Jean, but my favorite part of our friendship has to be the coupons. Shortly after we moved in three years ago, I mentioned in passing that I had used a coupon at a fast food restaurant for lunch. Well, since that day, Ed and Jean have been coupon hunters for us. Each week when the paper comes, they gather all of their restaurant coupons for places like Arby's, Steak and Shake, and KFC to give to us. They wrap them up in a grocery bag (in case it rains) and tie them to our fence for us to pick up when we get home. This has been a tradition for three years. Now, we've never had the heart to tell them that we could never use all those coupons, and we don't eat enough fast food to make it worth their while. So, whenever we see them, we thank them for the coupons and use them when we can and wait for the next batch on the fence.
Now, since Mark's graduation is looming and we're probably moving out of this house sometime this summer, it makes us sad to think about not living next to Ed and Jean. However, we know that our relationship won't end even if we move. We have become like family, just like the neighbors who lived here before us did. They talk at least once a month. I'm sure that will be the case with us as well. And of course we'll have to bring Charlie by since he will go through Ed withdrawals when we move. Come to think of it, we'll have to start buying Charlie treats for the first time in years.
I guess I wrote this post more to log some of our memories with Ed before we have to move, and I would love to add a picture, but I've realized that we've never taken a picture of Ed. So, that is now my goal, to get one before we go, maybe of Ed and Charlie. Only then will this blog post be complete.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
My Homeless Friends
I have always had a homeless friend.
When I was in grade school a homeless man lived in the park across the street from the school who would often walk by at recess time. He would never say anything, but we'd see him hanging out just down the street, far enough away that our teachers wouldn't get nervous. One day, my friend and I smuggled some of our lunch out to recess and ran over to the corner of our concrete-and-weeds playground, and stuck the food treasures through the chain link fence. That is when God first opened my eyes to the homeless around me.
Then, as I got older, I got my first job at the Orange Julius in the Mall Food Court. I would drive through the same entrance to the Mall everyday and that is where God planted the next homeless man I would meet. His name was Homeless Joe and he was well-known in the Mall Employee community. Everyday he would stand on the same median with his 'Homeless and Hungry' sign. The first day I noticed him I kept driving. I had worked all day, it was a Saturday, and I was tired and I kept driving. Every block I drove I felt more and more strongly that I should give him something. So, after 6 blocks of wrestling with God, I u-turned back to the mall. I went right back to Orange Julius, got a chili cheese dog and a giant glass of water and went back to my car. I drove through the same drive, pulled in next to the median, and offered Homeless Joe a hot dog. You would've thought it was a gourmet meal (don't let their advertising fool you, OJ/Dairy Queen dogs are not gourmet!). With a smile on his face he said, "God bless you dear." This began my three year friendship with Homeless Joe based on a chili dog.
That brings me to my current homeless friend. He is always dressed in camouflage head to toe, with a rainbow scarf, a jester's hat, and a giant duffle bag. The first time I 'met' this man, I was in my car, radio up, windows down and I heard a whistle and jibberish being yelled in my direction. At first I thought he was being rude, but after several 'meetings' I realized he was being an entertainer. He was yelling fun jibberish for all to hear. I smiled, then laughed and kept driving.
Today, as I drove home from the school, I passed my homeless friend. He was playing a trombone...he may have made up a new key no one has heard before. It was bad, but when he stopped I saw the biggest smile spread across his face. His joy even in obviously difficult times is contagious. Again, I smiled, laughed, and kept driving. I've often thought I should offer him something, but he never asks for food or money. He holds no sign or can of coins. He seems to truly enjoy entertaining.
As part of my teaching ministry, I get to organize major servant event days for the whole school. This year I've chosen to focus on serving the poor. I pray that my students get to see the unique relationships and the joy in friendship that they will experience when helping those affected by homelessness. My homeless friends have been a part of my story, and God has used each of them to teach me something new.
I pray that God always gives me opportunities to befriend the homeless.
When I was in grade school a homeless man lived in the park across the street from the school who would often walk by at recess time. He would never say anything, but we'd see him hanging out just down the street, far enough away that our teachers wouldn't get nervous. One day, my friend and I smuggled some of our lunch out to recess and ran over to the corner of our concrete-and-weeds playground, and stuck the food treasures through the chain link fence. That is when God first opened my eyes to the homeless around me.
Then, as I got older, I got my first job at the Orange Julius in the Mall Food Court. I would drive through the same entrance to the Mall everyday and that is where God planted the next homeless man I would meet. His name was Homeless Joe and he was well-known in the Mall Employee community. Everyday he would stand on the same median with his 'Homeless and Hungry' sign. The first day I noticed him I kept driving. I had worked all day, it was a Saturday, and I was tired and I kept driving. Every block I drove I felt more and more strongly that I should give him something. So, after 6 blocks of wrestling with God, I u-turned back to the mall. I went right back to Orange Julius, got a chili cheese dog and a giant glass of water and went back to my car. I drove through the same drive, pulled in next to the median, and offered Homeless Joe a hot dog. You would've thought it was a gourmet meal (don't let their advertising fool you, OJ/Dairy Queen dogs are not gourmet!). With a smile on his face he said, "God bless you dear." This began my three year friendship with Homeless Joe based on a chili dog.
That brings me to my current homeless friend. He is always dressed in camouflage head to toe, with a rainbow scarf, a jester's hat, and a giant duffle bag. The first time I 'met' this man, I was in my car, radio up, windows down and I heard a whistle and jibberish being yelled in my direction. At first I thought he was being rude, but after several 'meetings' I realized he was being an entertainer. He was yelling fun jibberish for all to hear. I smiled, then laughed and kept driving.
Today, as I drove home from the school, I passed my homeless friend. He was playing a trombone...he may have made up a new key no one has heard before. It was bad, but when he stopped I saw the biggest smile spread across his face. His joy even in obviously difficult times is contagious. Again, I smiled, laughed, and kept driving. I've often thought I should offer him something, but he never asks for food or money. He holds no sign or can of coins. He seems to truly enjoy entertaining.
As part of my teaching ministry, I get to organize major servant event days for the whole school. This year I've chosen to focus on serving the poor. I pray that my students get to see the unique relationships and the joy in friendship that they will experience when helping those affected by homelessness. My homeless friends have been a part of my story, and God has used each of them to teach me something new.
I pray that God always gives me opportunities to befriend the homeless.
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