Morissa first noticed the disheveled man as she parked outside the Hooters restaurant where she works. He was sitting on the curb.
She asked him if he was alright. Just her question brought him to tears. She helped him into the Hooters, explaining that she worked there. She told him that she was happy to receive him as a guest and that he could order whatever he wanted.
The man, Rick, gradually began to share his story with Morissa. He was from Ohio. He’d been hit by a car but could not get to the hospital because he had no money or official identification card.
After eating, Rick turned over to Morissa. She had helped him regain hope, he said. And he wanted to thank her in a very special way. He picked up a necklace, which was literally the only thing he owned, and handed it over to the girl who had given him hope again.
Morissa shared the story in a Facebook post, urging everyone to be kind in all circumstances and to send positive thoughts to Rick.
“Today when I pulled into work, I happened to glance into my rear view mirror and notice this man sitting on a curb across the street. His name is Rick. I walk up to him and ask if he’s okay…he barely mumbled a “no” and looked down and started sobbing. I asked if he was hungry…he said “very.” I helped him off the ground and linked his arm with mine. I introduced myself to Rick and explained that I worked here at Hooters and we would be happy to have him ”
“I sat him down and told him he could order whatever he wanted, on me. Another table bought him a dessert. He was so grateful…he told me he was here from Ohio and had been hit by a car, and he couldn’t go to the hospital because he didn’t have even an ID. He showed me his necklace, it has Phillipians 4:13 engraved on it. He was telling me how it was the only thing he had. We cried together.”
“He finished up his meal and told me he would never forget my name, my face, and how I had given him hope again. I asked if it was okay if we took a picture together, he was delighted. He even pulled out a small comb and combed his beard for our picture…so cute! As he goes to leave, he takes off his necklace and hands it to me, and told me he wanted me to have it. I was speechless. I still am. This man gave me the only thing that had any value to him.”
“That is a debt I will never be able to repay. I will never forget Rick and the few moments we spent together. Please, remember to be kind. Remember to help where you can and to do it selflessly. If you can, share this as a reminder, and also so more people can send positive thoughts towards Rick and the other homeless people who need it. Have a wonderful rest of your day.”
Today when I pulled into work, I happened to glance into my rear view mirror and notice this man sitting on a curb…
Posted by Morissa Pena on Wednesday, February 3, 2016