The Best Shoes I Ever Bought

In my lunch break, I wondered into the city, feel in love with two pairs of shoes, which were consequently on sale, with a buy one get one free offer. So I chose a black stiletto pair, very en vogue and a pair of gladiator flats. $300 worth of shoes for $110!!! I was giddy with excitement.

I'd mistakenly left my wallet in the office, so after work, I ventured down again. The 15 minute walk seemed hardly a deterrent. It was raining, my feet hurt from my boots, and it was peek our.

To get to the city centre, I walk past a bridge. There is a commune of homeless people who live under here. Every day they are there, rain or shine, drinking beer and smoking. I always think of taking some food to them, but I'm secretly scared of the old men. But this time there was a young guy. About my age. Lying alone on a sleeping bag, smoking. All around him was peak hour traffic and rain. He caught my eye and I looked away quickly. I felt like I was invading someones bedroom. But my heart was caught.

I bought my shoes, found a skirt on sale and felt as 'happy' as Carrie Bradshaw at D&G sale. And then it hit me. I want to 'save the world' and get kids off the streets. I want to see poverty ended and equality established, yet I was going to walk past that young guy tonight, back up to my nice car, and home to my warm house, without even a blink of my Mac massacred eyes.

So I bought a hot chicken, juggled 3 big bags, and my umbrella, and dodged the tooting horns and speeding buses back to the little island under the overpass.

I'll admit, I was scared shitless. What the hell was I going to say. I'm well aware that homeless people hate 'charity' and people feeling sorry for them. I scripted my intro;

my friends just cancelled dinner on my, and i have a spare chicken, would you mind taking it?

That didn't sound condescending right?

He jumped up, came over, with a toothless grin;

yeah! Thanks! What's your name?

missBee, what's yours?

Tim...

We chatted for a bit, and I said I'd come say hi soon.

I dodged traffic back to my car, and shoved my purchases in the car. To be honest, I don't even care about the shoes anymore. I was full of joy.

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone and loved someone. A stranger? It's so simple. Smile at the person serving you at the check out. Or the Afgan refugee at the petrol station.

everyone you meet is always fighting a harder battle.