3 Months to Do Anything in the World

Today's prompt: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?

If I could take three months off and do anything, I would spend my time working with the elderly and homeless communities around the world.  I know, such a Miss America cliche answer but it is honestly what I would do.  That and hike Machu Picchu.

I have always had a huge spot in my heart for the elderly and for those in poverty. I have no idea why.  In the past I have met some incredibly kind individuals from both communities and perhaps that is what has drawn me to wanting to serve them.

For example:

When I worked in banking the average customer age for our location was 72.  I spent a great deal of time building relationships with clients around that age, listening to stories about their grandkids, mourning the loss of a spouse with them, protecting them from people who would try to take financial advantage of them etc. What I learned is that just by listening to them with genuine interest, I was able to brighten their day and in turn, they brightened mine.  I realized that many of these clients would make daily trips to the bank just for socialization because they really didn't have much else.  I also learned that many did not have family members who were willing to act as advocates for them when troubles arose.  

We sped our youth being raised by these people and then so many become independent and turn their backs to those who guided them to where they are in life.  It makes me wish I could help them all.  One time we were visiting Aaron's Grandma at her beautiful independent living home.  The sweetest older woman who was alone stopped me to ask if I knew what movie would be playing that day.  I told her I did not and she walked me over to the activities board so we could "find out together".  She and I chatted for a bit and when we parted ways Aaron said, "You just want to pick her up and take her home don't you?"  And he was totally right, I did.    

Then there are the homeless living in poverty.  I really feel that so many living under these circumstances fall victim to the typical stereotype where others assume they must be alcoholics and druggies. If they weren't they wouldn't be on the streets, duh. Wrong.  I come from a family who has always worked incredibly hard for everything they have and I know what it is like to live through hard times.  We were never homeless but that really is not the point here.  My point is that you can be a sober person and still fall on hard times.  Look at Michael Oher or Halle Berry or Charlie Chaplin, they've all been on the streets before. 

 A few years ago Aaron and I attended a work holiday party at a restaurant in Down Town San Diego.  For whatever reason we were elected to take home the absurd amount of leftovers that we really would have no where to put when we got home.  As we walked through the streets we passed two homeless men.  They had made their beds in the crook of an entryway to a store and were chatting across from it. As we passed we exchanged "Merry Christmas" but that was all.  The men never asked for money or even our food.  We got about ten steps away, I looked to Aaron and said, 

"I want to give them our food." 

 His response, "Good so do I."

As we re-approached the men I offered them our food explaining that it was still warm but unfortunately we did not have any utensils.  Almost immediately one man said to the other, "That's ok, I have a fork we can share!"  I walked away from that moment with tears in my eyes.  Their pure gratitude and the joy on their faces over something that to me was so little, is something I will never forget.  

So yes. if I really could spend three months bringing that joy and gratituted to those in similar situations as the homeless men and the lonely elderly woman, they would be three months of my life incredibly well spent.