A couple years ago, during the pandemic, a stranger was walking his dog along the acequias. He motioned to me, and then pointing to the tents occupying the back yard next door. “Doesn’t that bother you? The homeless living there?” I replied that it didn’t. That they were people trying to get by, just like the rest of us. That yes they had problems, but we all have problems and they were doing they best they could. He wandered on, walking his dog back the way he had come. I let the discussion settle, hoping that he wouldn’t call the police. I couldn’t fix any of my temporary neighbors’ lives but I truly didn’t want to see them get worsened.

The people in tents moved on, as they do, and months later I saw the man with his dog once again. Gesturing to the empty yard, he asked “Where’d they go?” I replied that I didn’t know. As I was turning to go back inside, he told me “Ya know, I got to thinking about it. I’m not sure why I was so concerned. They seemed nice enough. I guess they are just trying to get by. I never thought about the homeless that way, but when you said that it just kinda hit home”. He waved goodbye and continued on, his little dog egging him along. It was just a few words, and nothing new or groundbreaking but I’m very glad to know that they were remembered and maybe made the world a tiny bit better.

Daily writing prompt

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

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