One of the things I love about Burlington is how much I walk. I walk everywhere. Even - believe it or not, to the University Mall, where I recently went to get an eye exam and a new pair of glasses.
From downtown, it’s not the prettiest of strolls; I have to cross a number of highway on and off ramps. But I’m happy to get the exercise. Right near the highway interchange, I was making my way through the parking lot of a restaurant that’s been shut down, not a place where you’d expect to see something remarkable.
But I did.
A car pulled in. The driver stepped out. She was holding what appeared to be a brand new sleeping bag, tightly bunched in a green stuff sack.
She gave the sleeping bag to a homeless man sitting on a stoop. His reaction took me aback. He stood up with a big smile and actually rocked the stuffed bag in his arms like he was holding a baby. I felt like I was watching a movie. For a moment, I stopped walking and stared. Later, I processed the scene in my head, taken back to other feelings I’ve had all year.
2015 was, in many ways, a time when bad things happened. It began and ended with terrorism in Paris. Then there was a homegrown attack in San Bernadino.
The fear brought on by ISIS and extremism has been matched by fear-mongering on the campaign trail. At a time of apprehension, there’s been growing hostility toward Muslims.
For sure, presidential campaigns always turn up the volume. But this year, I’ve been concerned the trends of the past few months will make for an even uglier mood in the ones to come, that this could be a time when bigotry is unleashed.
But that doesn’t have to be.
As I stared at the unfolding scene, it was clear the woman who gave the sleeping bag wasn’t giving to get praise or any reward. She was just doing the right thing.
At a time when the national mood has not been reassuring and I have been worried about who we are, this woman reminded me of our common decency, that suddenly someone can appear before you, and model an act of humanity.
In the brief moment our yes, met, I smiled at her. She smiled back, then drove off. The homeless man inspected his new gift. And I walked away, with something to think about on my way home.
