Christmas | Charity | Homeless | Wellbeing | Fiction
Hogg Generosity at Christmas
Let us all lead by example, my friends.
I’m often asked: How did that idea come to you?
Take the man roaming the street. He’s wearing a dirty overcoat, warm enough, and a hat that would have been a rat’s nest at some point. Now, here’s the thing, right? I could not make any assumptions about this man.
Maybe he’s wealthy but doesn’t want anyone to know? What if he lives in a huge house, maybe in my neighborhood, and in disguise looking to see if there’s anyone who will take pity on him.
It’s these kinds of things that happen in life that inspire stories.
With this man, I choose to believe he is without hope. How adept we are at dismissing people as human. I imagine myself in his situation, having no hope and Christmas just days away. Through these visual examples, the pain of the world is felt. How often will you think about the Congo? That’s true, why am I thinking about it. Okay, forget the Congo, but in your own neighborhood. Pain.
Do you ever wonder what is in your power to change his outlook?
The man strolled on.
During the night, I was woken by what I thought was a Possum trying to get into the garbage can.
“Honey, can you go see what is creating that din?”
“Love, it’s a Possum. He’ll find what he wants and be gone. Go back to sleep.” And I turned over.
“Love, just take a look at least, will you?” Jenny asked.
Bloody Possums, I murmur as I get out of bed.
Well, there were no Possums. It was the old man I had seen in the street earlier today. He must have been scouting the neighborhood to know where the garbage cans were kept.
“Old man,” I said, “what the hell are you doing?” I said, using my flashlight to see him.
“I don’t mean no harm, sir. Just looking for scraps of food,” he said miserably.
I felt awful. Earlier today, I had him pegged for a wealthy man in disguise.
“Wait there,” I said, “I can help you.”
When I got back into bed, Jenny was still awake.
“Was it a Possum, honey?” She asked.
“No, it wasn’t honey. Do remember the old guy on the street earlier today?” I asked.
“Yes, you said you could create a story around his appearance,” she yawned.
“That’s right. Well, it was him. He was rummaging through the garbage cans looking for something to eat.”
“Oh, no, the poor man. Did you give him something?”
“I did love.” Now you go to sleep, okay?”
“What did you give him, Harry?” She asked again.
“Well, you know how close it is to Christmas, right?”
“Yes, love.”
“And we have lots of candles around the house,” I said.
“Yes, love.”
“Well, I lit one and gave it to the old man so that he could see what he was doing.”
Be kind, people. This is the Hogg family wanting you to be kind to everyone this Christmas.
More from Harry:
Adrienne Beaumont, The Sturg, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, Trisha Faye, Karen Schwartz, Nancy Oglesby, Katie Michaelson, Bernie Pullen, Michelle Jimerson Morris, Amy, Julia A. Keirns, Pamela Oglesby, Tina, Pat Romito LaPointe, Brandon Ellrich, Misty Rae, Karen Hoffman, Susie Winfield, Vincent Pisano, Marlene Samuels, Ray Day, Randy Pulley, Michael Rhodes, Lu Skerdoo, Pluto Wolnosci 🟣, Paula Shablo, Bruce Coulter, Ellen Baker, Kelley Murphy, Leigh-Anne Dennison, Patricia Timmermans, Keeley Schroder, Jan Sebastian 🖐👩🦰, James Michael Wilkinson, Whye Waite, John Hansen, Trudy Van Buskirk, Robert Bush | Dixie Dodd
(No offense will be taken if you dislike being tagged for various reasons. Please let me know, and I’ll be sure it doesn’t happen on my posts again. If, on the other hand, you’d grace me by allowing a tag, I’d be thrilled to add you.)
Thanks for reading.
