The Soup Kitchen

Thank you starskipper for the idea.

"Can I have some breakfast?" the little voice chirped as she looked at me with her big puppy dog eyes, and I gave her a wink.
"You bet sweetheart."
She couldn't be more than 6 years old. Her jacket was too small, and her face and hair were dirty. Her Mother was in line as well. The little girl was oblivious, happy to be out of the frigid cold on this December day. The mother was not oblivious. She constantly checked her surroundings, and looked at everyone with a distrust you must witness to understand.
I ladled some hot soup into a bowl, made a tray of scrambled eggs, sausage, bread and soup and handed it to the little girl.
"Thank you sir." she said as she took it from me.

"You're welcome honey. Hey sweetheart guess what? Today is a special day. I can make you some hot chocolate!"

"Can I Mom?"

"Of course." She said, and looked at me with her distrusting eyes.

"Can I have a marshmallow on top Sir?"

"Sorry Honey, I don't have any marshmallows....."

"That's OK Sir." She looked like a little angel as she held the tray with both hands trying not to spill anything.

I poured her a disposable cup of hot chocolate. You'd think I just gave her a winning lottery ticket. She waited there until her mom had her food as well, and then they went to find a seat at the cafeteria full of tables. They sat, and I watched as the mother took the napkins and made a place setting for her and her daighter. I couldn't hear, but it was obvious that they said grace, then ate the food I was lucky enough to be able to provide them. Obviously down on their luck, but classy none the less. Money, and good fortune does NOT equal class.

It's times like these when my alarm clock is buzzing at 2:00 am, that I get up and head to the sight where meals are to be prepared, that I can smile and know it's worth it. I volunteer for Loaves & Fishes in NJ. We serve all needy people. No questions, no judgements, and a ton of DIGNITY.

"Good morning lombozo." A voice gruff from decades of smoking cigarettes rattled across the counter.

"Lieutenant!" I said, and gave an unofficial salute.

"Pretty sloppy salute soldier! You're lucky I'm not your CO." It was our weekly routine. Bob, who I call Lieutenant came in every week. He was disabled in the Nam. Missing a leg he is in a wheelchair.

"So what kind of crummy slop are you serving me today? You better not be trying to poison me like last week soldier!" Again it was our weekly routine. He always had a twinkle in his eye. As proud as they come. I have alot of respect for him.

"Listen Lieutenant! You're gonna eat what I serve, and your gonna like it!"

"You freakin' grunt. Your lucky I shined my shoes this morning, or I'd bury 'em up your fanny!"

"You mean SHOE right?"

That joke never ceased to get a laugh out of him as he had but one shoe.

So I served him his meal, and saluted him again.

"Sloppiest damn soldier I ever met."

"See you next week Lt."

"See you next week lombozo."

He wanted nothing more than to talk to someone for a couple of minutes. He always finished every single morsel served to him, and always cleaned his own area.

"Sir?" It was the little girl from before.

"Hi Honey."

"Can I have another cup of hot chocolate? Mommy says it's ok. It makes my hands warm when I hold it, and it's so cold out." Oh man, break my heart why don't you.

"You sure can honey."

"Thank you sir." She took the cup and turned to go back to the table.

"Hey honey, hold on a second!" She turned and came back towards me. "Jeremy, cover for me for a second."

I quick ran to the coat room. I have a pair of gloves in my coat pocket, that I never wear. So I get them and run back to the counter.

"Here honey. Take these." The entire time her mothers eyes never left me. The little girl turned and looked at her Mom, as the Mom got up.

"What are you doing?" She said.

"I had an extra pair of gloves, and I want her to have them, that's all."

"Can I mommy?"

The mother ever so briefly misted over. Almost imperceptably.

"OK."

She looked at me for what seemed like forever. Right into my eyes. Eventually she held out her hand.
"My name is Nancy."

"My name is lombozo."

"God bless you lombozo."

"God bless you sir." The little girl chimed in. She had the gloves on, and they swallowed her arm almost to the elbow.

Oh Jeez, I'm gonna get all ferchlempt in a minute.

"God bless you too sweetheart, and god bless you as well Miss." The mother smiled for a moment. It was obvious that she hadn't been called Miss, or any other friendly term for awhile.

She turned, buttoned her daughters jacket, and I watched as they went outside.

I never saw them again.

There are so many stories. More than I care to admit. When you see someone who is down on their luck say hello. It makes a big difference.

Originally posted by Lombozo

" Money, and good fortune does NOT equal class. "


It is too bad that there are not people in the world that see this is so true.
I have related this story once before, but I feel it is important enough to mention again.
I was on my way home one day, on a city bus. I was having the worst day ever,bordering on tears, and I guess it showed well on my face.
This man on the bus..noticed me..and that I seemed upset.
He said to me..
"Smile!"
I gave him a funny look..but I smiled anyways.
He said " I don't have much, but I always have a smile...and I'll give that to you."
I smiled at him and said thank you.
It was then he got up to leave the bus..and I saw his ragged clothes and the bags he was carrying, and I realized he was one of the homeless people in our city.
He looked up at the window as he passed by me as the bus started to pull away..and I waved back.
That man gave me a greater gift than money can buy. I have never forgotten it. I never will.
He really put my own life in perspective for me.
AccessDenied

It's beautiful, lombozo. It's beautiful. I love reading the stories you write about. Yes, there are so many stories. God bless you.

OK everybody. Ready? Smile and say "Hello."

reply to post by lombozo

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To quote Jack Nicholson (although I hope you don't look like Helen Hunt).

"You make me want to be a better man."

MonKey

reply to post by lombozo

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That was beautiful. I think you just inspired me.

Thank you.

"How much does breakfast cost?" a frail, almost inaudible voice said.
I turned around and gazed upon a tiny old woman. Her hands were shaking, and gnarled with arthritis. Her eyes were wet. She had her purse open and was looking in it with the type of fear you feel when you know you can't afford what you're asking for. I've been there - more than once.

"Young lady, It costs nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Well it'll cost you something."

She looked at me with a renewed fear.

"How much?"

"I just need you to enjoy your breakfast?"

"What?"

"I just need you to sit here, and enjoy your breakfast. That's it."

Have you ever seen an old woman cry? It's probably one of the most heart wrenching things in the world.

I made her tray and handed it to her, and she had a problem holding it.

"Hold on a second Miss."

I walked around the counter and held out my elbow.

"May I have the honor young lady?"

She took my arm, and I took her tray in my other arm as we walked.

"Where would you like to sit Miss?"

"Please call me Esther."

"Where would you like to sit Esther?"

"Right here would be fine."

We sat her down and she got comfortable. I didn't have much time as the line was out the door, but I sat with her for about a minute or so and talked with her.

"Young man?"

"My name is lombozo."

"Lombozo, you made me feel young today. Thank you."

"It was my honor Esther. I want to see you next week, ok?"

She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

"My Harry, rest his soul, wouldn't mind that I kissed you."

"Harry is a lucky man."

"Can I have the next dance with you next week lombozo?"

"Always young lady, always."

I walked back to the counter, with a huge smile on my face. I saw her for many weeks thereafter until she passed. I'll always remember what a wonderful LADY she was.

"YO! I'm hungry!" a young man's voice yelled.

"Well then you're in the right place."

He was probably around 12. He was tall, and handsome. He stood erect, and his chin was high in the air demanding respect. His eyes were hardened. This child knew what pain was. So sad.

"Yeah, well give me some food. I told you I'm hungry. I'm not waiting for nobody."

"Listen to me. I expect you to show some manners."

"Why should I?"

"Because I will treat you with respect."

"Yeah...." He looked at me with total disdain. He held me in a staredown. This kid has seen too much for such a young man.

"My name is lombozo." I held out my hand. He looked at it and snorted. I kept my hand out. He never took it.

"Where's your Mom and Dad?" I started to make his tray. His eyes never left what I was dishing out.

"Who are you?"

"lombozo." I held my hand out again. He didn't take it.

"Are you here by yourself?"

"Yeah. So what?"

"I was just curious."

"Curious? What the hell are you curious about me for?"

"Because."

"Because why lombozo?" He said the word lombozo dripping with disdain.

"Because I care."

"Care? What for. You don't know me. Give me my food."

"I do care."

"Yeah? Do you care that I don't know where my dad is. Do you care that my mom sleeps all day whenever she comes back home?"

"Yeah I do."

"Yeah, sure you do. I'm hungry, Put more eggs on that plate."

"What's you're name son?"

"I aint your son."

"I told you my name, what's yours?"

"That's your problem."

"Here you go." I handed him his tray. He turned and walked away. In awhile I hear:

"Yo lombozo." He's staring at me with his arms crossed and his chin high in the air.

"Hey."

"I think you're full of S--t. You don't care about me."

"Think what you want."

He put his arms down, and looked from side to side.

This went on for quite awhile. It was becoming obvious that he didn't want to leave.

Over the course of the next couple of weeks I found out that his name was Willie. This kid has been through the wringer. He's seen things soldiers shouldn't see.

Anyway Willie now works 2 stations down the counter from me. He is a great kid. Smart, extremely strong, funny as heck, and a good soul. He's a great co-worker, and he tells me that he 'digs my style'. Funny what happens when you give someone a chance.

reply to post by lombozo

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Lombozo.. I need an off switch for my waterworks..Bigtime.

Me, too! Here, Access, please help yourself to this box of tissue. First a finger was good enough to wipe a tear, then a sleeve, but I had to end up using a handkerchief

reply to post by lombozo

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Your a Good example and inspiration to most of people
shame others do not share your trait , world might be a better place.

always good reading your topics

Lom... I am truly honored to call you Friend.

God Bless you.

"Can I get three?" he asked as he held out a very old and stained tupper ware container.

"Excuse me?"

"Can I get three of the breakfasts in this container?" He was approximately my age (mid 40's) and wouldn't keep eye contact.

"I'm sorry Sir, but you have to eat here. I can't give to you to go."

"Please?" He was welling up. "It's not for me."

Oh man, this poor man reeked of hard times, and embarrassment.

"Why do you need three?"

He looked down at his feet, and turned around to leave.

"SIR!" I called to him.

He stopped for a moment, then started again for the door. As he got halfway to the door he turned and came back.

"I'm begging you. Please. Can I have 3? They're not for me. I swear."

"I'm sorry, I can't. Who are they for?"

It took him forever to answer. He cleared his throat, and in a trembling voice he said:

"My wife and 2 kids are in the car. They're hungry."

"You're wife and 2 kids? That makes three. Sounds to me like you need four."

He gave a quick sob, and recomposed himself.

"No I just need three. I'm OK."

"Where is your car?"

"Out in the lot. It's on so they can stay warm."

"Sir, if I might be so bold, invite them in."

"I can't........" He couldn't finish his sentence. His embarrassment was so overwhelming that it was uncomfortable.

"Sir." He looked up at me. "It's OK."

"I was laid off from work months ago. We were just evicted, and we live in our car." This poor bastard. He was doing everything he could not to break down.

"Sir. You are amongst friends. Bring your family in."

He looked at me.

"Please. Bring them in. We have plenty of room. I have 4 settings waiting just for your family."

"I only need three." This man put's his family before himself. Automatic respect from me.

"I know you only need three, but four is my lucky number. Please bring them in. It's OK."

He walked out. After a little while I thought that he might not come back. Finally he came back in. He opened the door for his wife, and 2 young children. A gentleman. They came in, wide eyed, and scared. I waved them to the front of the line. You know it's funny, no actually it's not funny. It's AMAZING the class shown by the vast majority of those who visit us. Not so much as a frown from anybody as this family came to the front of the line.

"Welcome back!"

He said nothing.

"OK, I see a perfect table right over there. Why don't you go over and get comfortable."

They did. They sat as a family. The kids were just about teen age. They huddled together trying to block themselves in, and the world out. We don't wait on people, you come to the line, we serve you and you find a place to sit and eat. It's policy. Well as someone once said- there are times when rules are meant to be broken.

"Hey Willie, come here a second. "

"What's up dawg?"

"Give me a hand for a second."

So Willie and I took the 4 trays over to them, and 'waited' on them. They all looked at us, as we 'served' them. It was awkward.

Suddenly Willie said to the boy. "Yo! Those are some bangin' kicks bro!"

Huh? What the hell does that mean? Bangin' kicks? Huh? Well whatever it meant, it turned the mood around. Things lightened up and Willie and the 2 kids started to talk. Beyond cool.

"Hey Willie. You take your break yet?"

"Nope. Can I now?" Damn. This kid really gets it.

"You bet."

The family came back for a couple of weeks, then I didn't see them for awhile. After a couple months or so, the father and son came back in. The father was walking tall, and obviously feeling good. The young man had a package in his hands.

"Hey lombozo!"

"Hey Floyd!"

"I got a good job, and we just got a house!"

"Awesome!!!"

I went around the counter and shook his hand. He pulled me in and gave me a guy hug. "Thank you lombozo - for everything."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I didn't do anything. It's all you my good man. I'm proud of you."

The young man - Charles - went up to Willie and gave him the package he was holding. Willie looked at me, and I nodded in the direction of the table he and the family sat in for the weeks they came in. He and Charles ran over and sat. Willie opened the package. It was a pair of sneakers, uh I mean kicks. The same type that Willie admired so many weeks earlier. Willie squealed! Then he and Charles did this handshake that took like 20 minutes to finsh.
After Floyd and Charles left, I pulled Willie aside.

"Willie. I am so proud of you. What you did for that family is amazing. You're a special young man."

"Yeah Dawg? Well let me tell you something. I'm making you an honorary brother. Just don't let anybody see you dance, or your on your own."

I don't think I ever laughed so hard in my life.




[edit on 28-2-2008 by lombozo]

Access, could you pass me that box of tissue, please?

A writer told me once, that good writing should make people think, feel, affect them. Your writing brings the soup kitchen into my Life. I am reminded once again, "Truly, inasmuch as you have done such things for the least of my brothers and sisters, you have done the same for me." Your Heart is Good.

When I leave my safe little world and venture "out there" (not to often) I feel like I am slapped in the face.People in a hurry, nasty, mean and aggressive. It is easy to see the not-so-nice stuff and forget about the good. After all, the bad is so much louder.
Your stories are a great reminder of the little things that might not be seen or heard but are good.
I am in awe of people who can move the world with their words. And judging from all the scattered tissues that AccessDenied and Desert dropped all over the place you definately moved us all.

Thank you....

I saw on T.V. once, a reporter was asking people whats does "a hero" mean to them...

Many said Spiderman, Superman, Batman and then a builder said... to me a hero is anyone who makes it through life...

Wise words from a builder.

I also think your signature is wrong, being rich and great is not measured by a persons wealth or material values, to me its measured by their character and their actions. So for me this puts you right at the top...

Oh, for the record, these are not tears, its just theres alot of dust in the air and its getting in my eyes....thats all.

Take care,

John Q.

reply to post by desert

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Here ya go......
I had to go buy 10 more boxes...
Damn Waterworks...

Real touching story there man.
I greatly respect what your doing.
Too often we get wrapped up in our own lives and own problems we forget that are many out there through no fault of their own are having big problems.

Hopefully the never saw them again part means things got better for them about the woman and her daughter.

[edit on 29-2-2008 by WraothAscendant]

"Hi wombozo." a familiar voice said.

"Robert! What's up Ace?"

Robert was one of my favorites. He was mentally disabled, but prided himself on being self sufficient. He was a big loveable Teddy Bear.

"So what are you doing today Ace?" I called him Ace. I don't remember how I started with that nickname for him, but it stuck.

"I got out of bed, and put cwothes on. I made sure I put my swippers on or my feet would be cold. Then I cweaned my teeth"

"What's wrong with your eye?"

"Nuffing....." His eye was discolored and a little puffy.

"Did you wash your hands Ace?"

"Yes."

"Let me see them."

He held his hands out for me to see.

"Yep, nice and clean. Give me a high five!"

He gave me a high five.

"Where's your jacket Ace?"

He didn't answer, and looked away from me.

"Robert. Here look at me. Where's your Jacket? It's cold out."

"I don't know."

"You lost it?"

Again he didn't answer me.

"Ace? Did you lose your jacket?"

"No.........."

His eye was blackened, and he wouldn't look at me.

"Did someone take your jacket?"

He wouldn't answer me.

"Who took it Ace? Do you know who it is? You can tell me."

"I'm hungry wombozo."

"OK Ace. What'll you have?"

"The usual." And he laughed his high pitched braying style of a laugh.

I'm thinking to myself 'Dammit somebody stole this mans jacket. I so wish I was there when it happened."

"Here you go Ace!"

"Thank you wombozo." He turned and started to a table.

"Hey Ace, are you wearing your slippers?" He was, and with no socks on.

"I forgot to put my shoes on."

"What am I going to do with you?"

"Make me pancakes?"

"Someday, I'll make you pancakes Ace."

"With syrup?

"Absolutely."

"At your house?"

"Yep, at my house."

"And can I watch TV? I wish I had a TV."

"You bet you can."

"Yay!" He was so happy, he was lit up with excitement. He walked over to a table and ate.

"Hey wombozo. Look I ate everything on my pwate."

"Awesome Ace!"

"Maybe I can have pancakes next week OK?"

"Maybe so. I'll see you next week allright Ace? Do you have another jacket?"

"I think so."

"Get it, and put it on, OK?"

"OK wombozo."

He turned and started to walk out.

"Hey Ace!"

He looked at me, and I said:

"Who's the man?"

"You are the man wombozo."

"No, no, no YOU are the man!"

He laughed his laugh again.

"Can I have pancakes at your house next week."

"We'll see Ace."

He walked out waving and smiling. God I love that freakin' guy.

Next week came, and I read the news clipping taped to the wall. They found Roberts frozen body in the park a couple days earlier. He was wearing slippers.

I never forgave myself.

Oh my dear GOD...

The last part of your story just ripped my heart out.

I don't know what to say from this point on....

.........

~Ducky~

Iam a puddle of tears.
Need to compose myself...again.
Time to stop focusing on only our own reality,and look at the bigger picture.
There are so many ways that could have been prevented Lombozo, and you are not to blame for the lack of any of them. You do what you can and no one could ask more of you.

reply to post by AccessDenied

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You jus, started focussing, on what is important!t start focussing on what is impoortant

This is [bWhat I think Is important within HUMANS'S.

ACCESSED;' DENIED

I'll be focussing on what YOU say/, from NOW ON IN.!!!!

~Ducky~