At Home with the Leymons: 40 by 40

We are holding off on our actual Valentine's celebration until next weekend when my mom is in town and therefore we have a babysitter, but we met up today for lunch. It was nice to spend a little time with each other in the middle of the work day. Since we started eating healthier, we don't go out to eat at lunch very often anymore so this was a nice change.

When I was driving back, my mind wandered to thinking how it must feel for people who don't have anyone in their lives (I don't mean a husband or wife; I mean people with no friends or family). Then I thought about the homeless man I see downtown several times a week. I think we are all conditioned to somewhat ignore the people standing on corners with a sign, but there's something about this man that I always look at him. There's something in his face that just breaks my heart. He's never out asking for money. He's always just tucked inside the doorway of an abandoned building.

So instead of going straight back to work, I made a quick detour and took him some lunch. Instead of just handing it to him out the car window, I stopped and parked and walked it over to him. I told him that I wanted him to have a hot lunch on a cold day and to know that someone was thinking about him on Valentine's Day. He looked at me with these big, soulful eyes and said "God bless you young lady."

As I walked away, I saw him bow his head and say a prayer and then begin to eat. I was so touched that this man who has nothing took the time to actually pray before he ate.

If that wasn't a well-spent $5, I don't know what is.