Am Poor - Will Share

As I travel this country, I see a lot of people in various circumstances and stages of need. It never fails to nick my heart and my conscience to see someone with a sign proclaiming they are hungry and homeless, broken down, run out of gas, or stranded. When I've remarked to others about this, I often get told that they are just scammers that are too lazy to get a real job. For some of them, this may be true; but, I think overall it's a sad situation that forces them to swallow their pride and try to survive.

I often give out bags of canned goods to people I see with those signs or hand them a couple of bucks, a cup of coffee or a cold drink, some dog food for the dog standing stoically by their master's side.

What I've noticed is that the ones I see stopping to help or give are those who don't have much themselves. Those in expensive vehicles just glare, put up the windows, and drive on by. While those like me who are struggling just to make it seem to be far more willing to help their fellow man. Maybe because we've been down and out before and know that sometimes a couple of bucks, a smile and a kind word can make a difference in someones life.

I can't seem to adopt this callous, unfeeling, better and holier than thou attitude. Nor do I believe I want to. Because, while I may not have much, I can rest with an easy conscience knowing that I did what I could to help out another human being without passing judgement on them and that someday the favor might be returned.

To all the haves out there - there may come a day when you're money, nice car, nice home etc. won't be enough to protect or help you and others will turn their back. But, guess what, one of us working poor will probably still be willing to lend you a hand because, while we may not have much, we have a heart.

It'll Do

I rolled into Texas last night right along with the ice. It was dicey there for a while but I finally found a place to stop for the night. When I awoke this morning there was a couple of inches of ice on my mirrors but the roads were clear so I got moving again.

A couple of hours into my trip, I came into some small Texas town (sorry but I didn't catch the name). There was a sign that said It'll Do Motel. Sure enough, just past the sign, was a small motel. Nothin' fancy but there. And if I weren't in a truck and was travelling through looking for a decent, inexpensive place for the night - it would do.

Just goes to show you that not only do the proprietors of this motel offer you a bed for the night they offer it with a sense of humor and truth in advertising. A really neat slice of the American pie. I think I would have stopped there if only for those reasons. Ya gotta appreciate the self deprecating and unpretentious approach in this day and age of too much of everything except what we need.

When billions of dollars are spent on marketing and advertising in this country it is so refreshing to see the mom and pop enterprise top them all with the simple thought "It'll Do". They know their market and are pretty sure that those choosing to stay a night with them won't be asking for concierge service, valet parking, and turn down service but will certainly get what they paid for.