The Bag Lady

I was 4 years old when I first met the bag lady that would eventually save our family's livelihood. Neighborhood kids called her the cat lady as they were as numerous as the cracks in the sidewalk around her shack of a home. Adults would have called her inconvenient, unlovely and unlovable. We called her Dorothy.

Dorothy had been an only child, orphaned and grew up to be a little spinster lady. Today we would have labeled her as a reclusive hoarder that lived below the poverty line. She lived on the other side of town in a house by the railroad tracks that had broken windows fixed with tape and horded items stacked to the ceiling. Everywhere Dorothy went she carried four to six shopping bags full of items, "You never know what you might need", she once told me. As a child I could never understand why she thought pantyhose with holes, cat food and a big comb that was missing teeth would be items she might need. Due to the large feline presence in her home, usually standing up wind was advisable as the unmistakable order of cat urine permeated her clothing.

No one was kind to Dorothy, except my parents.

Weekly my Mom drove to Dorothy's, picked her up and brought her home. At our house Dorothy took the opportunity to take a hot shower, do a little laundry and eat a good meal. At the end of the evening my Dad would pack up Dorothy, her bags and drive her back home. Mom & Dad made sure her bags had a few extra bits when she left; dinner left-overs or a few miscellaneous grocery items found their way to her bags.

Dorothy loved Jesus. Every now and then she would come to church with us. One Sunday as Dorothy was busy gathering her bags in the foyer after a morning service a church member approached Mom. The lady motioned toward Dorothy and asked, "Why do you even bother with her?" My Mom's response..."Because I love her. My parents are deceased and I am an only child, I could end up in her exact situation." The lady rolled her eyes and walked away.

When I was 13 my family was in the middle of the biggest crisis of my young life. One of the businesses owned by my parents was about to go bankrupt. Due to the structure of the companies, we were going to lose our home and second business property unless my Mom legally bought out my Dad's share of the company at fair market value. Where do you find thousands of dollars during a recession when you've used up your savings try to save the first business?

Dorothy!

"How much would you need to buy out Dale's portion", asked the bag lady? In 1978 the going interest rate was 26%; Dorothy believed that anything over 8% was usury. Yes, Dorothy the bag lady that often smelled of cats, had thousands of dollars which she lent to my parents, to be paid back when they could at 8% interest.

I know this blog is about my current journey, but this was a huge lesson learned at a early age that has remained with me to this day. This portion of my journey solidified the importance of generosity, kindness and compassion to all, not just the convenient people.

Here is what my parents and the bag lady taught me.

#1 God can provide something from nothing.

#2 None of my possessions and wealth are mine because of my ability. They are mine because of the God given, God blessed ideas, plans and work He has bestowed on me.

#3 If it isn't mine then I won't mind sharing it with others in order to bless them.

#4 Being inconvenienced is only a matter of time...time well spent.

#5 Open your home to those around you. Share your food, your shelter and your love with those that need a hug, a smile or a good cup of tea.

#6 Live so that you can be an unexpected blessing to someone else.

#7 See the person, not the label.

#8 It's not about how much money you have or can give. It's about giving of yourself, showing kindness and compassion to others.

I will never forget Dorothy and her bags. Nor will I ever pass up the opportunity to have someone in my home to love on them and bless them.

Now, go find your own bag lady.

Kim Angela