MY “DATE” WITH ERNIE

So I was at Trader Joe’s yesterday and I saw that they now carry lunch packs. In a little sack they have a sandwich, sliced apples, string cheese, a water bottle, and cookies.  I know what you’re thinking.  What in the world does this have to do with a “good deed”?  Well those little lunch packs inspired me.  I bought two of them with the intention of giving them to a homeless man that I have been seeing everyday by the freeway entrance.  When I got home, I decided that I had more things to contribute to this homeless man.  I got a reusable big bag, and filled it with the lunch packs that I just bought, some more food, water and candy.  Then, I decided that I should put some toiletries in there as well.  I searched the house, and found several unused shampoos,  conditioners, and body washes from hotels.  I found some travel sized toothpaste, dental floss, and even those free toothbrushes that you get from the dentist as well.  I also threw in some q-tips, bandaids and even some gum.  As a finishing touch I threw in a small towel as well as a fleece blanket that we got for free at dodger stadium that has been sitting unused in my trunk for almost a year now!!   I realized how easy this was to do.  I spent a few bucks on the lunch packs, but besides that, I found things in my house that were of no real use to me, and that someone else would be able to benefit from.

I was so excited to go give him this bag of goodies!   But then I worried… what if when I got there, he wasn’t at his usual spot?  Although I saw him at the same freeway entrance 95% of  the time, there were a few off days when he was not there.  The clock was ticking and I was going to be late for work if I didn’t get a move on.  I decided to leave the bag of goodies at home, and bring them the next day when I had more time and didn’t have to rush off to work.  As I approached my usual freeway on ramp, lo and behold, there he was!  I rolled down my window to talk to him.

“Hi,” I said.  “I have a whole bunch of stuff for you, but I wasn’t sure if you would be here.  Will you be here at this time tomorrow?” I asked.

“I will make it a point to be.” Said the homeless man, with the sweetest eyes and a smile that warmed my heart.

“What’s your name?” he asked me.

“Alli, ” I said. “What’s yours?”

“Ernie,” he said.

“Well, Ernie, nice to meet you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“It’s a date!” He said.

SO, today, I brought the bag full of goodies to “my date” with Ernie.  He was there, waiting for me as I drove up to the freeway.  He greeted me by my name, and was incredibly gracious.  You can see our little “date” in the video below.  (My apologies for the “guerilla style” footage. I was trying to drive, film, and do a “good deed” all at the same time.  Now that’s what I call multi-tasking!)