- From time to time I travel to town from my new found
country home. On this particular Saturday it was Adam's turn to accompany
dad on the forty-minute drive to town a coveted delight. As we left,
he promised his two brothers, Tyler and Brandon, he would return with a
bounty of candy they all would share.
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- After parking the truck I woke Adam telling him we had
arrived. His sleepy brown eyes opened peering out the window. "Can
we get candy, daddy?" "Yes, honey. We will get you candy. We
need to walk down the street."
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- Adam, 7, is a curious boy who never lacks for questions.
As we walked, he asked about the grand limestone church to our left. "What
is that, daddy?" "It's a church, honey. That's the house of God.
(The church in this area looks more like a school portable than anything
else.) People go there to pray," I say, trying to avoid a lengthy
religious question and answer session.
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- "What do they pray for?" "Well, they ask
God's forgiveness for sins and ask God to help people who are less fortunate.
"What is less fortunate?" "A person who is less fortunate
is someone who may not have a home, food, love or a job not being fortunate
can mean many things Adam."
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- "How does God help them? Does he give them food?"
"I guess he could give them food, but God tends to use other people
to help hungry people. God once said, What you do for the least of them,
you do for me.'" "What does that mean, daddy?"
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- "It means that when you help the poorest of people,
you are actually helping God. Do you understand?" "Yes. Can we
get candy now?" "Okay, honey. Just a few more blocks."
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- Adam, like his brothers, has a profound fondness of candy.
I am sure if he knew there was a candy treat on the other side of a mountain
he would move the entire mountain, stone by stone, to retrieve the treat.
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- We walked another two blocks toward the drug store. Adam
had fallen silent. I glanced at him as we walked his stare falling on
something further down the street. As we crossed to the next block, I discovered
the source of Adam's attention. He was looking at an old man who was begging.
His gray sweater had numerous holes and pulls which exposed a stained T-shirt.
He sat with his back to the wall, his hands cupped around an empty hat.
Adam briefly stared as we passed. We entered the store.
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- "Can I have my dollar daddy?" I pulled a dollar
from my pocket, handing it to Adam. "Thank you daddy." Adam
raced toward a barrel of suckers. He stared wide-eyed, gently touching
the packaged treasures with a reverence only a child can harbor. His little
hands trembled with excitement.
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- I kept Adam in sight as I picked up the few items I needed.
We converged on the cashier at the same time. Adam placed his suckers on
the counter. "That will be a dollar fifteen," said the girl.
Adam placed his dollar on the counter. "You need fifteen more cents."
Adam looked to me. "Dad, do you have fifteen more cents?" I nodded
yes.
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- We left the store and walked a few feet to the corner.
While waiting for the light, I felt Adam gently slip his hand from mine.
I turned watching him as he walked back to the beggar extending his priceless
treasure. "This is from God," Adam said softly.
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- The old man looked up at Adam. Through gray tired eyes
he seemed to smile for an instant. He said nothing as Adam passed the suckers
to his cupped shaking hands. I walked to Adam, picking him up, I paused.
The beggar looked into Adam's eyes saying, "Thank you, Lord."
"You're welcome," replied Adam.
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- I hugged Adam saying, "Daddy is very proud of you
Adam. That was very thoughtful." "It certainly was," confirmed
a female voice to my right. I turned and watched a middle-aged woman place
five dollars in the man's hat. "May I?" She said leaning in to
kiss Adam's cheek. I nodded and smiled Adam giggled.
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- "I did all right in my life. It could have been
different." A dapper elderly man had knelt beside the beggar placing
his hand on a shoulder of the tattered gray sweater. He placed five dollars
along with a business card in the old hat. "If you are able to work,
call my number." The stylish gentleman struggled to stand the middle-aged
female helped him to his feet. "Thank you madam." "Thank
you both," said the beggar faintly, his gray eyes welling with tears
of gratitude.
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- We crossed with the others as the light changed. "Look,
daddy." Adam was looking over my shoulder to the man on the sidewalk.
A small group of people had gathered around him placing money in his hat.
I couldn't help but recall a thought from the Bible: A little child shall
lead them.
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- "Adam? You gave away your treats. What are we going
to do now?" His lip started to quiver realizing he had nothing to
share with his brothers. He buried his face in my neck. "I don't know,"
he said in a broken voice. "Well, perhaps I will buy you a cake. There
will be lots to share."
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- He pushed away from my neck staring with brown, tear-filled
eyes. "Can we?" He asked, brushing the tears from his eyes. "Yes
honey?" "Can we get writing on it?" "Yes, Adam. It
will read: Adam the Selfless."
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