And then he was gone...

He's my brother too...

He  just appeared one morning on my route to work, sitting on the railing, smoking a cigarette, a shopping cart with 2 small suitcases next to him, a crutch at his side. I was stopped at the light and as I looked over our eyes met. I nodded, he nodded.

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He was not panhandling; no 'will work for food' sign, no cup, no outstretched hand. He just sat and smoked and looked. I wondered 'what was his story?' Everybody has a story: did he make bad choices, was he a victim of a series of misfortune, did it really matter? For several days I saw him; it seemed he did not move and his expressionless face seemed frozen in time. Sometimes I just got to zip by because the light was green and other times when the light was red I had a few seconds to nod to this 'brother' of mine. Last Friday as I was dressing for work I took some money out of my wallet and tucked it in my shirt pocket so I could give him to buy a meal. I wanted to know his name. I don't know why THIS man touched me so, I just don't know but when I got there he was gone...Everyday I pass since then I look and I pray. May we meet again. Peace.