As we entered  a fast food restaurant, we are in line ordering and a homeless man asks one of the kids for some change to buy a hamburger, the young man begins to pull some change from his pocket and I tell the homeless man to order what he wanted and I would pay for it. We sit down, girls at one table and boys at another. The homeless man happens to wonder next to us and starts talking to the boys. They offer him a seat at their table and I watched wearily, as three young man sat with him for almost an hour listening to him talk about life as they shared laughs and a hamburger together.

As we were leaving, the girls asked the boys what they had been talking about and they said that what the man had to say "was deep, it was real"  and as I turn back to check if everyone is ready to get into the car, I witness one of those young men pull his sweatshirt over his head and hand it the homeless man. (that brought me to tears and of course I got made fun of for it! =) ) In the car they told they told the girls that he wasn't giving them advice, but spreading information. They said what he talked about would be their facebook quotes for the next month and that they can learn from anyone as long as you give time to listen......

I have heard people say that youth have no respect for elders. Why are we helping gang members, what's the point?, They don't care why should we?

From now on, whenever I hear that I will look back and remember these kids, that night and will simply respond. "I've seen it.. give them an opportunity to be humbled, they'll outshine". I couldn't be more proud.

Thanks for your time. I hope this brings a smile to your face or a moment of satisfaction knowing what we do, counts. Have a great day!