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Where we can... Written by Leonita Coutts
I grew up humble... very humble and I know of
hardship. In today’s economic climate, it’s heartbreaking to see how many
people struggle to survive. I can also add that the COVID pandemic has
contributed to this.
The feeling of hopelessness:
What are we going to eat or how are we going to survive until the end of the
month? I know very well.
No one wants to experience that feeling, believe
me.
Yes, life is challenging. Everyone has their
personal “devils” or challenges they have to face. It is therefore difficult to
focus on others when you yourself are busy scratching cabbages from the fire.
In my town, as in many other towns and cities,
there are people who have nowhere to go. They live and sleep in front of shops,
under bridges or in alleys. Grace carries them and I call them “grace-men.” We
don’t always know their past or the reason they live on the streets. I don’t
ask questions either. It is not my duty to judge, but to help where I can...
It’s hot... The sun stands still above my
town, and today he punishes those who venture outside.
I’m on my way to an appointment. Our town is
small. Small enough that you can walk where you want to be or else you can just
hop in a taxi. Today I choose the taxi option. The heat makes me give up my
love of walking.
In the town centre, Sun is king and the reflecting light on windows makes me reach for my sunglasses. “I should have cancelled my appointment instead.” I thought, but I am here, no reason to waste time on it.
As I searched under a tree, waiting for the time
for my appointment to come, I spotted him. He half-sat against a blue, concrete
trash can a few feet from Clicks across the road. In the heat, the blanket
around his shoulders is noticeable. The plakkies on his feet have seen better
days and I’m sure the heat beats through from the tar, burning his feet.
I see him muttering every time someone walks past
him, but everyone is deaf and blind. For a moment, I try to put myself in his
position... How much courage it must take to ask total strangers for something
to eat or drink? Then they ignore you because you are “invisible”.
On the spur of the moment, I walked across the
road to him. “Wait here,” I said. His eyes met mine and for a second gratitude
and disbelief flashed in them.
I walked briskly towards Ackerman and entered it.
I buy a pair of plakkies, estimate that a number 9 will fit. After that, I
slipped into Checkers and bought a bun and a soda and a donut as well.
On the way back to Clicks, I see he is no longer
at his spot. Might he have been startled, because I recognized his
existence, I wonder? However, when I looked across the road, I saw him
standing under the tree. So he spotted me earlier, in the shadows. I stepped
closer and handed the bags to him and as I turned to walk, I heard a hoarse
“thank you”.
The sun had been setting for a long time, but the
heat remained captive between the four walls of my house. I sit on my porch and
listen to the crickets chatting with each other. I think about him and wonder
where he sleeps tonight and if the stickers at least fit. I helped, because I
could, I wanted to, and because I felt sorry for him.
Deep down, there must surely be a sense of satisfaction, because today I did something for someone, just on the spur of the moment. However, the feeling here inside me is an inexplicable feeling of unfulfilment, because I wish I could do more. I know and realize that one cannot help everyone, but we can certainly try to help wherever we can. Try to make a difference in someone’s life for just one day.
I feel a little better...
A shooting prayer finds its way towards heaven:
“Keep and watch over him tonight, Lord. Please have mercy on him.”
Copyright Leonita Coutts 2024
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