There for the Grace of God..

I was on my way home from work last week upon reaching the station I stopped at a news stand to buy something, as I walked away from the stand a homeless lady asked me if she could get some money for a coffee. I said sure and pulled out some money which I handed to her. She took the bills from me and as she counted the ones she thanked me and walked away. I headed for my platform and was surprised when I got a tap on my shoulder and the lady who I had given what I thought was five single bills was handing me back a twenty. She said “Lady I think you game me this by mistake”. I was very surprised and thanked her. I said it was very honest of her and that she could keep it and perhaps buy some food or use it for a hostel bed. She told me it would get her a hostel place for 3 nights, but that in summer it was not as important as in Winter. I then said if she would like I would hold on to the Twenty bucks for her and give her 5 bucks per day over the next four days. I told her I would be at the station at this time every weekday and would give her the money. I did this and today she thanked me and told me a little of her life on the streets. I told her if I could help in anyway I would, she asked me if I would buy her a metro card for the day. I told her I would get her one for the week. I did and she said I had done enough for her and thanked me again. She said perhaps she would see me round. And  headed off in to the cloudy humid  evening with all her diginty, all her honesty and all her pride. I found myself thinking there for the grace of God go any of us.