Not many of you left. Knowing exactly who Phil Ochs was talking about is a prerequisite.
Man with a sad sign on St Paul street today. Checked my wallet to make sure I had a couple of ones for him before I got out of the car. Went to the meter and he yelled "Dude, they don't collect on a holiday."
So I thanked him for reminding me. Offered him the ones and he said "Oh I wasn't telling you for money! I just don't want the government getting more than they've got." I laughed and said "Right on." I told him I was planning on helping him out before I went to the meter anyway so we're square. Plus I agree with him.
I asked him if I could get him anything else. He said he was hungry, I was on my way to Eddie's anyway to get a sandwich. He said a ham and cheese would be great. On a roll. With mustard. Took his order and went in. The All American Ham and Cheese Sub was on special, so I upsized to that and got a tuna for myself. Got an apple for the guy too and hoped he liked apples.
I gave them to him and he was super appreciative. It was really embarrassing because I appreciate his appreciation, but goddamn it makes me sad that all it takes to be a good person anymore is to get some food for a hungry person when you can afford to.
Now I'm going to hang out with the dog and keep him calm, thinking about how tone deaf fireworks displays are as a way to commemorate the birth of the bombingest country in the history of the world.
UPDATE: Thanks for the comments and the rec and all I guess, but I don't want to give the wrong impression of what I was writing.
This wasn't an exemplification of what being "good" is. The primary purpose was to critique just how shallow the requirements are to get that designation. I'm not good. I'm not bad either, but I think a good person would have done a shitload more than give up eight bucks and 10 minutes and then been on about his business.
We have to expect more of ourselves and others.