What a day.I headed north, had lunch with a very dear friend and took Dharma to the vet where they did blood tests to see how she was doing, laid out a care plan for the next few months and trained me to give her her monthly injections. When it came time to pay, they presented me with a bill for 39 dollars and change – I was blown away and confused, so I inquired why. They explained to me that they were charging me the least they possibly could – for the blood test only – not for the visit – and only their cost for the syringes I needed. I was moved to tears, grateful and thanking them for all of their help. I took the opportunity to share with the tech the story of the only other time a dog of mine had been their patient. Twenty-four years ago, I was 19 years old, homeless and living on Clam Beach. My dog had become terribly ill and I feared the worst. It was a dark winter night when I came to them for help. I had no money and a very sick dog. My dog, Cochise, had contracted parvo. They treated him as best they could – gave him a shot of antibiotics and gave me very clear instructions of exactly what I had to do to try and save his life. It was winter, pouring down rain to the point that I had dug a moat around my tent to keep us up out of the water. I spent the next week in the pouring down rain, covered in dog puke and force feeding him pedialyte around the clock trying to save his life. Because of their help – and my diligence – Cochise survived. So, Dharma is the second dog of mine they have saved and extended their kindness to. The tech and I both were moved to tears – we both agreed about the power of kindness and the importance of sharing it in this world we live in. I thanked her profusely, gathered up Dharma and we were on our way.

After a walk in Redwood Park, we took off back south towards Eureka. I decided to make a quick stop at Target to return an incorrect quart of oil I had bought yesterday in Novato. I hate returning things as it always seems a hassle, but decided to do it anyways. I couldn’t believe how smoothly it went – I was in and out of the store in just a few minutes. 

So, I headed back to my car and I could hear Smokey barking – because that is what Smokey does – he barks and barks and barks when we are out shopping – protecting the car from everyone and everything. When I got closer, I saw a homeless man standing on the other side. He was in an empty spot and we were all very close to the store. I asked him if I could help him and he replied that he was cold and asked if I could help. I still had the bag of old clothes that I had been carrying around, so I pulled it out and we went through it. There was a hat, gloves, a scarf, a hoodie and a vest that would work for him. He was beyond excited and so grateful for something to wear. He asked if I had pants – I did not, but he felt confident that he could craft the hoodie into a pair of pants of sorts. His heart was warm and his smile was friendly, and something told me I should get him a cup of coffee. As we were walking towards the store, he thanked me again and again for the clothes. We spoke of seeking shelter, but he said that they were overrun – too many people on the streets in need of a place to stay. And somehow this short walk for coffee turned into something more. Bryant – as he introduced himself – came with me and we walked side by side just like any other couple of friends headed on a trip through the store. We talked about life, homelessness, the necessities that we need and the things we take for granted. He told me of his decision to be homeless for what he thought would be a short time just to save some money and then he found himself stuck. It is much harder to become un-homeless than homeless – that is something that I have learned and know too well. So, I shopped – we shopped – I offered – he gave his opinion – is this tent too heavy? – regular sweatpants or synthetic? – regular please – boxers? boxer briefs? or regular underwear? – boxer briefs, please – what about these socks? – well, those look nice, but they are acrylic and not as good as cotton – let’s get cotton…. shoes? you need shoes? – I look down at his feet and he is wearing loafers with only one sock – a homeless man with me – in Target, wearing long john’s, no pants, a bright pink hat on his head that I had just given him, busted loafers and just one sock – shopping like any two normal people would – talking, conversing, doing price comparisons, wondering if they would have any shoes. He thought maybe they might have a pair of rubber boots – and on the sale rack they had a pair of lace up boots with rubber bottoms and nylon tops. We grabbed them and made our way to the front. He asked me what I was doing in Eureka and I told him of Dharma’s visit, my very cheap bill, the kindness of the vet, the dog with parvo I had saved and what brought me to him – helping another human being – paying it forward with no expectation of getting anything in return. He thanked me profusely, was in near tears, told me I was his angel and that I had restored his faith in people. I told him that he helped me as much as I had helped him. It was my plan to make up bags for the homeless for Christmas, but with all the traveling I have done, I have not had time to get them together, so by helping him, I was keeping my word by helping the homeless for Christmas.

We came out of Target to find that God had painted the sky red as a gift to both of us. The sun was setting and we parted ways – he had warm clothes, new boots and a tent to keep him dry. He asked me over and over again what he could do to repay me and I told him that when the day comes that he has the chance to help another, he could then pay it forward – that it was love and kindness that will save the world – not a president or anything else. 

He told me that he thought that my kindness meant that his life was going to start getting better now. 

What a gift to hear.

I ventured on to the health food store, grabbed some groceries, got an excited call from Josiah that he has chosen his sober living place – that it is right by an Alano club and that the recovery community is thick in that area. I shared with him the story of Dharma, Cochise, and Bryant. I hung up the phone and made my way towards the bathroom – the door is coded and you have to have the code to get in. I asked the clerk – he said he was not sure, but he thought it was 11-11 – I asked a woman who had just come out and she said the same – eleven eleven. 
This is a pic of me and Bryant. 

Eleven eleven – the awakening.

Oh, and I should mention that the cost of what I got him and Dharma’s vet bill turned out to be *exactly* what I had budgeted for her trip to the vet. No coincidences. Ever.