Two Sunday nights ago I decided to order take out using a Dominos Pizza Coupon I had left over for 3 medium one topping pizzas for $5.55 each. It was already 9:30 PM, the night was coming to a close, my wife and I had been too tired to cook, and we just felt like ordering some seriously yummy pizza.I had just finished helping get my kids get their things in order and ready for school tomorrow. My wife has it pretty tough in the mornings because I'm out the door at 6:30 every morning.
Life was feeling great. I was thinking and reflecting on how great my life was; how even in the face of a tough economy, we were still making it ok, unlike many other Americans today.
As I neared Dominos with my pizza coupon in hand, I noticed an older gentleman sitting on a corner wall by himself. I didn't really think too much of it and I walked right past him in through the doors of Domino's.
I usually call ahead but on this night, I placed my order in person and proceeded right out the door into my air conditioned car to wait the customary 15 minutes to pie heaven.
When the fifteen minutes were up, I walked past the gentleman once again and to my surprise, the bearded man said. "Hi sir. Is it possible for you to give me any change?" I paused for a second, and in light of the way I felt, I actually answered this person I thought to be just another lazy person on easy street, mooching and existing off everybody else.
I went inside and received a call from my wife as the cashier was getting my pizza, and as I walked out with pizzas in hand she told me our kids were sound asleep.
Without hesitation, I saw this poor guy begging for money and asked him if he'd like a pizza instead. He said, "I'd love to sir, but that wouldn't be right." I asked him almost forcefully, "Pepperoni, plain, or sausage?"
He replied, "I love pepperoni, but are you sure, are you going to have enough for yourself or your family?" I though it was a little odd, this person being so thoughtful, unlike any vagrant I had ever run into.
I went home feeling better than when I left, especially after I scarfed down a few slices of pie.
This past Saturday we had some friends over for a pool get-together and I visited the same Domino's for some take out pizza, this time without any coupons!
I asked the manager behind the counter about the poor soul I saw last week hanging out next to the restaurant and he told me something I'll never forget as long as I live; the man is only known to the locals as Jeremy.
Jeremy is a Vietnam veteran who received a purple heart, all confirmed by a family member who visits the Dominos from time to time and occasionally checks up on him. Jeremy is mentally ill, and was unable to function in society without the aid of prescription medicine, and he eventually found himself roaming the streets.
I felt good about myself and how I reached out to a stranger in need whose appearance was misleading. I'm hoping to see him again.
My liberty, my freedom, is all because of heroes just like him. I want to get a chance to tell him that.
I'm going to show up with a Dominos online pizza coupon and it's got his name written all over it!
God bless all those who've fought so hard for this country.
0 comments:
Post a Comment