Because I care....

I made up 6 of these bags to keep in my car. I plan on giving them to those less fortunate that I pass along on the streets. Instead of giving the people with the signs money...I want to give them something that I hope they would buy if I gave them money.

I often think of how someone would wind up traveling around like they do...homeless and alone. How hard it must be to not have a friend or family member to take you in and help care for you (or at least choose not to be helped upon). Cold winter nights, hot summer days, no bed, no toilet, no shower, no food. It's really hard for me not to feel compassion for them. I give them money when I actually do have some cash on me (which is very rare). When I don't I can't even look into their eyes....and then I feel guilty and think "did they really ask for this path in life?". Yet I am afraid for my own safety and my families to do anything but hand them something out the window of my vehicle. I don't pick up hitchhikers and I don't actually give them "work for food", even though I wish it was safe enough to do so. I know that I personally have enough family and friends to keep me afloat if something tragic happened and I lost everything. But seeing them makes me wonder where I would wind up if I didn't?

OK, OK, enough negative ramble....off to the good stuff!! In the bags I have a roll of toilet paper, toothbrush (in a ziploc), toothpaste, bar of soap, carmex, and a mini deck of cards. It cost me roughly $6-7 per bag to make including the decorations.

I also put in a little note printed on balloon stationary paper with a matching envelope. I have had this stationary for quite some time and finally have a use for it!!! The note says:

For you I hope:

your path leads you the right way,

your mind gives you peace,

your heart gives you joy,

your mistakes give you knowledge,

your kindness is appreciated,

your evils are forgiven,

your stomach never aches,

your pain is short,

your health is well,

your happiness is abundant,

your strength is never ending,

your sleep is replenishing,

your courage is great,

your laugh is heard often,

your purpose is fulfilled.

My goal is to brighten their day, and hope to give them a little faith in the human race. Some of us do care out here and they need to know that.