How A Homeless Man’s Empathy Helped Me In A Storm
You’d Imagine That A Homeless Man Would Need To Be Taught About Life, But For Me, It Was The Other Way Around
It was a stormy winter’s evening and I knew I’d struggle to survive and for others, it would be the same way.
So I knew I had to do something.
As it was early January but the lights were still on the Christmas trees I arrived in my city to see if I could help the local people with barricading the storm surge. I also wanted to inform those that were unaware of the impending high tide that was forecast for later on that night. Earlier, I had been watching the 6 o ‘ clock news at home and saw how the rushing sea waters had ripped through the local promenade as it raced up the streets to cover all the restaurants and pubs a couple of meters underneath.
Nothing as bad as this storm had happened this century.
Seeing Things From Others Point Of View:
I felt compelled to help and knew I couldn’t stand still and wait for the 9 o’ news bulletin before I’d take action.
Although I knew I didn’t have any experience in a storm of that size, something within pushed me to help. As I walked the flooded streets there were few about and parked cars were submerged in the now stagnant water that existed for hours before. An underground car park was almost full to the brim and it was astonishing to see the potential damage to these cars but still, my thoughts quickly turned to the people who made the street their home every night.
“After all, what made me any more special than a person that was homeless?”
And
“Surely, if I could inform a few of the predicted high tide later on that night then they could prepare to move from their sleeping spot to somewhere else in case they would get awoken by the racing waters that could drown them?”
So, I decided I had to approach some homeless people to see if they were aware of how the flood was projected to rise and make sure that they were safe.
Meeting Michael:
That’s when I met Michael a homeless man of my age.
Initially, he was very wary of me.
Almost frightened.
He had been wandering around the streets that evening doing his usual thing and was completely unaware that there had been such a flood on one of the nearby streets. We talked for a good while as we drifted in and out of the conversation about the forthcoming night’s weather.
It was clear that he had some issues with trusting me and who could blame him? after all, I was a stranger to him.
Active Empathy:
After a further while chatting about this and that Michael listened as I explained how the news had spoken about the serious storm damage that was to come later on.
He then accepted that he had to take cover. His plan to huddle in a dark doorway on the main street would not be possible that night as the waters would rise above the sandbags that shop owners had placed in front of their premises. He was hungry but wary of me so we made a deal that if I fed him he’d leave the streets that night and instead take a room indoors.
I went to the last remaining restaurant open and bought him a takeaway before giving it to him on the side of the street outside.
Going Home:
We then agreed that Michael could stay at my house for the night.
As he hopped into my car, he was still wary. Although he had already threatened me once we’d met I knew it was out of his fear of the unknown as he was battle-weary from sleeping rough every night. It was clear to me that he needed to unwind and have a night indoors.
And I was delighted that I was able to give him that chance on that stormy winter’s night.
How Empathy Works Both Ways:
Oddly, Michael taught me more that night than I gave to him.
Once we arrived at my house he was like a teenager coming to a party. He insisted on lighting the fire. Not just to get warm, but to give back out of his appreciation in being able to be inside and out of the storm.
We spent hours chatting and listening to music together.
Both of us shared a similar musical taste and when he played his tunes it brought stories out of
two people from different worlds.
But on that night we were the same. Just two single men hanging out and swapping stories from when we were younger.
I knew then that I had empathy.
But I also realized that empathy works both ways. And that Michael’s homeless presence in my house was my greatest gift that Christmas.
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