Just a Moment

I left a swanky bar in downtown Austin, with some guests on our way to an event, and a guy living in the street asked if we had a pen.

Now, life can be impossibly difficult for some. And while that’s the worst the world has to throw at us, the more subtle reality is that it is *near* impossibly difficult for many.

And the only way to live is with kindness.
I had a pen.

We also had an appointment…
“I want to make you something,” he says, “because most ignore people like me. I just ask for a pen because I write, and I’m curious who stops to share a moment.”

Getting to the event on time weighed on me and I admit that a moment of kindness with someone struggling in the street can feel awkward, so I took a moment with him, but I also said, “We only have a couple minutes, so how can I help?” presumptively as though he was going to ask for money.

I’m a bit ashamed that I presumed.

He pulled out stones from his jacket. Sat down on the sideway and opened his bag to more.

And then shared with me his life story.

When he was done, some time had passed, and he taught me how to make this, a simple piece of art that he made for me, rough-hewn by his hands, as humans have done for millennia.

I handed him the pen, astounded and grateful.

Then I grabbed a bit of cash and added, “please, your talent earned this”

“No thanks, I just needed a pen, and someone to share a moment.”