At first I thought it was just a bag of trash... Heading through the business district, I passed by the inconsequential lump of white leaning against a low wall underneath a bridge above the railroad tracks. People often leave their refuse there and today seemed no different. As the huge snowflakes fell on the first real snow day of the season, my hands pulled the jacket closer to trap in some warmth against the bitter cold. Business complete, I made my way back, but that white garbage bag wouldn't leave my mind.

Passing it again, I turned to look. People were walking by without casting a glance and maybe my eyes were deceiving me, but the lump seemed to move. It was then that I realized it might actually be a person sitting there bundled up against the cold with their legs against their chest inside what looked like a giant bag. Since we have a number of well-known violent and aggressive street people, I decided to play it safe and ask the local social service agency to see if they could conduct a welfare check.

They wouldn't take the person in, but did make arrangements for someone to do a check. Worried that I might have been wasting their time on what might actually be a trash bag, I decided to go back and make sure, but this time I came prepared. Working up my courage, I walked up and saw the legs were extended this time, but every inch was covered up by white plastic.

A warm heart

Asking if they were ok and would accept a gift from me, a very polite voice from underneath said 'yes." A bag of hot food was accepted and some HotHands Super Warmers, the large 18 hour version. A curious voice seemed interested in the portable warmth, while a slender hand reached out to receive them. I assured them help was on the way, but wanted the person to be ok until they arrived. Reporting that I wished I could do more, brought me a most heartfelt "Thank You" in return.

I never saw their face, so have no idea of the age, sex or race, nor did it matter. There are no pictures, because I wanted to preserve the dignity of another human being. An hour later, I went out and checked and the person was gone, bag and all. the footsteps in the snow leading up to the bridge told the story that they got a warm place to stay for the night instead of possibly expiring in that bitter cold. What surprised me was all of the folks that just walked on by, without a care in the world. Sometimes it just takes one human to care about another and share a little warmth.