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Out of context: Reply #76325
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- BusterBoy13
For about seven years there’s been a young homeless guy outside the supermarket I go to. His line was always the same - “excuse me sir, do you have any spare change?” I’d occasionally hand him something from inside, since I never carry cash.
I’ll admit it often grated on me – he’d ask on the way in and again on the way out. I’d sometimes remind myself “there but for the grace of God go I,” but truthfully I was more irritated than compassionate most days. Not exactly proud of that.
Other people would sometimes stop to chat with him.
Today I went past and saw flowers and a note in the spot he always sat. He’d died, apparently after a short illness.
It hit me harder than expected – maybe guilt, maybe the sudden finality of it – but it lingers more than I would have thought.