Fast Food Intervention

It seems like I am led to helping people in crisis at burger joints!

On my daily commute, I ride the Amtrak train (or more often now, bus) up to Portland, Oregon from Salem, Oregon.

I teach piano and accompany a choir in Portland.

On my way home, I travel through downtown Portland to Union Station.  I usually have about 30 minutes down time. I often stop at a fast food restaurant on the busline. It is cheap.  And easy. I try to eat relatively healthy, but don't always succeed. I suppose this ritual is a comfort thing.  But mostly it is a convenient, inexpensive stop to take a breath and contemplate my life.

I do that a lot.  Contemplate. Always have.  I am an introvert by nature. But we can talk about that another time!

I also like to people watch. And lend a helping hand when needed. 

The following are two encounters I had in the last few months. These are from my posts on Facebook. I changed the names of the young men and am not mentioning the name of the fast food chain I frequented. For the protection of privacy.

November 7, 2014: 

After I taught piano today in Portland, I was feeling in the need of comfort. Comfort food to be exact! I had only a short time before the 9:30 bus home to Salem, and about $5 to my name. So I stopped for a small hamburger and fries and hey...free Wi-fi! I was standing in line and noticed the young man a couple people ahead of me was having a hard time standing up straight. He was swaying. When he was called up to the counter, he leaned on the counter to catch his breath.

He appeared very tired, hungry, drunk, coming down off of drugs or all of the above. But my heart ached with compassion for him. Especially when I noticed how people were treating him. He really just seemed like a hungry young man needing food.

The cashier told him to get his hands off of the counter. The young man murmured something and showed the cashier a handful of bills. The cashier appeared to get angry. He said, "I can't understand you. Please step away." The cashier then started to motion the next person in line, an older woman in front of me. She shook her head and refused to move while the Hungry Man still stood there.

So the cashier called another worker over. This worker started loudly lecturing the man, saying he was in no shape to be in their restaurant, they couldn't understand his speech and he needed to leave.

I stepped up and pulled Hungry Man aside. I asked him what he would like to eat. He looked at me with a sad look in his eyes. "I just want two cheeseburgers and a Mr. Pibb, M'am."

I understood him just fine. I told him to sit down and I'd get him some food. He tried to give me his money but I told him I would take care of it. When it was my turn to order, I added his to mine. The cashier asked me if I was ordering for the hungry man. I said I was. He then said, "He can't be in here. He needs to wait outside." So I told Hungry Man - "I have ordered your food, please wait outside for me."

When our order came up, I walked outside and found him waiting by the curb. I gave him his food and said, "They weren't very nice to you. But I got you your food. God bless you."

He looked at me and said clear as day, "No. God bless you. You are an angel. Thank you."

I asked him his name. He said, "I am Adam". I asked him if I could pray for him. He said I could. Then he dug into his burgers with gusto!

I can truthfully tell you in all of my wanderings this week, I felt God's presence and love more with this encounter than any other. I will not forget him. I do not blame the casheir. They have the right to refuse service to anyone they are uncomfortable with. But I am so glad I didn't let his appearance sway me from offering him a bit of humanity.

And I hope somewhere in downtown, Adam has found a warm place to sleep tonight. I am thankful to God for bringing loving people into my lives, where I least expect them.

  December 18, 2014

I made a split decision to stop for a bite downtown after the musical I accompanied tonight. I was going to just go to union station and wait for my bus home, but I had time to kill. And a root beer and a small fry plus WiFi sounded comforting. Well, I am so glad I stopped. I was able to help yet another young man in the midst of a mental health crisis.

 Anyway, his name is "Dave". He is 20, homeless, autistic and depressed. We talked a bit. He showed me a poem he wrote about his girlfriend. He talked a lot about dying. He actually asked me if I would call the Multnomah country crisis line. It took a couple of calls, but they are sending first responders down to check on him. He also gave me the name of his caseworker. I left her a message. I hope they find a safe place for him tonight. 

As I left to catch my southbound bus, I asked him if he would like the flowers they gave me at the performance. He gave me a shy crooked grin and said, "Really? For me? They are so pretty!" Then he started sobbing and gave me a big hug. My heart breaks for all the sad and lonely people. Will you take a moment wherever you are and whisper a prayer for this broken young man and all those who feel alone, neglected, sad and afraid tonight?

Thank you and God bless you all!