The Man in Red Square

So today I was walking to class through red square, and I noticed this guy in the front of Kane hall. He appeared to be homeless, and he was feeding the pigeons and seagulls with a piece of bread. I was really intrigued by this for some reason, and I didn't know why. My class was in Bagley, so I still had a little ways to go. As I walked, I thought more and more about this man. I felt sorry for him, and I kinda wanted to talk to him. The man was all alone, and only the pigeons would give him the time of day, but not without him giving them something first.

As I arrived at my first class, I was still thinking about that man. All through class my mind kept drifting, and I would think of him again. So after class I went to my next class and I was still thinking about him, and his world. Then I realized that there must be a reason why I am thinking so much about him. Is God trying to tell me something? Maybe. So after my second class I went to the computer lab and finished an assignment. As I left the computer lab, I walked through red square again, and I heard this really obnoxious sound. Repeatedly, over and over again I heard it. I looked up and I saw the same man making that sound with the balloon. You know that sound that is made when you drag your fingers across a balloon? That is what he was doing. I realized that this man is begging for attention.

I had a little time before my next class, so I went up and talked with him. He did in fact have a story. He began to tell me about his life, and what had happened to him recently. His story was basically that he has been living in various places for awhile, and he had just learned that his son had been killed in Iraq. He began telling me about his son, and then he quickly and abruptly stopped. He asked me if I had to be anywhere soon. I said, no my classes can wait. We talked about various thinks for about 20 more minutes. When I we were saying goodbye, he said that it was really nice to talk to somebody. He thanked me, and I left. I really didn't get to share anything about myself with this man, but I think that all he wanted was for someone to listen to him.

In the sort time that we talked, I learned a lot about myself from this man. I don't know if I will ever see this guy again, but if I do I will be sure and talk to him again. I don't think I will ever froget this man.