Yesterday I went over to the mall to return some library videos and on my way back from there, I was stopped by a woman asking for money. I told her I didn't have much but asked her if a dollar would help.
As it happened, I had $2.00 left and gave it to her. Immediately, two police offers swooped down on us and told her to give me my money back. She did and the police were quite tough with her verbally and escorted her out of the mall. I don't know where they were hiding but they got her in the act of begging which is illegal here in Hamilton.
The police woman was the tougher of the two! They obviously knew this woman by the way they talked to her.
After they were gone, two very nice ladies came over to me and told me that this had happened to a friend of theirs and her purse had been stolen and she had been knocked down and injured.
These two ladies were so kind. They also pointed out how vulnerable I was using a walker and that dishonest people take advantage of vulnerable people.
I had never thought of myself as vulnerable, and that really hit home. I went home and cried and cried. My intention was so good.
I wonder why the police don't stop the fellow who begs each day at the corner of James and King? Perhaps it was because it was on Mall property that they swooped down. I don't know.
Needless to say, being the somewhat sensitive person that I am, I felt a little "down".
Happily, it was my poetry group that night and even though it was a very bitter cold night, I decided to go as it is very near my home.
I was very glad that I did go, as it cheered me up. I had written a poem about a Spring Rain Walk and this was the first group to critique it. The Executive in that group of poets are university/college teachers who teach poetry and they know how to encourage and help people improve. I always feel encouraged to continue after their meetings.
They do it in such a gentle way that one is not afraid to hear what they have to say.
I was glad that the day ended on such a positive note!
As it happened, I had $2.00 left and gave it to her. Immediately, two police offers swooped down on us and told her to give me my money back. She did and the police were quite tough with her verbally and escorted her out of the mall. I don't know where they were hiding but they got her in the act of begging which is illegal here in Hamilton.
The police woman was the tougher of the two! They obviously knew this woman by the way they talked to her.
After they were gone, two very nice ladies came over to me and told me that this had happened to a friend of theirs and her purse had been stolen and she had been knocked down and injured.
These two ladies were so kind. They also pointed out how vulnerable I was using a walker and that dishonest people take advantage of vulnerable people.
I had never thought of myself as vulnerable, and that really hit home. I went home and cried and cried. My intention was so good.
I wonder why the police don't stop the fellow who begs each day at the corner of James and King? Perhaps it was because it was on Mall property that they swooped down. I don't know.
Needless to say, being the somewhat sensitive person that I am, I felt a little "down".
Happily, it was my poetry group that night and even though it was a very bitter cold night, I decided to go as it is very near my home.
I was very glad that I did go, as it cheered me up. I had written a poem about a Spring Rain Walk and this was the first group to critique it. The Executive in that group of poets are university/college teachers who teach poetry and they know how to encourage and help people improve. I always feel encouraged to continue after their meetings.
They do it in such a gentle way that one is not afraid to hear what they have to say.
I was glad that the day ended on such a positive note!
