weird feeling

I got a weird feeling today outside of Walgreens. Dalena and I were going to pick up a few things and a random dude knocked on my door. I saw this guy as we pulled into the space with a few dollars in hand so I figured he was going to ask me for money. This has happened on more than 1 occasion in this particular area. I got out of the car, and he did ask me for money after explaining his plight. Basically, he needed $20 to get firestone to come over, jack up his car, and then help him get the spare tire.

The weird feeling came when I tried to think about what to say. "No, I won't give you any money" didn't come out. Rather, I deferred to hollering at my wife after we got into the store because I didn't have cash. The guy mentioned something about me going to an ATM but that sounded shady. Dalena and entered the store, picked up our items and I spent the entire time in Walgreens debating back and forth about whether or not to take out $10 and give it to this guy. I felt sick inside, my stomach turning in knots.

Why did I feel this way you might ask? I've always been the nice guy. I'd love to help out everyone but after being the nice guy, I've gotten screwed over quite a bit. You see, the nice guy is nice to everyone but everyone isn't always nice to him. I've watched movies, TV and I've seen the news. Nice guy gives stranger some cash, but after pulling out his wallet, gets jumped for everything he has.

I was thinking about the Christian thing to do. I am reminded of the various parables and other stories about the good Samaritan, the woman who snubs the dirty homeless man who turns out to actually be Jesus, and the countless other tales of the diamond in the rough who is looking for that nice person to come along. Am I obligated to help this man? Is that the right thing to do?

The thing that threw me was that he asked for money. If he had asked to borrow my jack, or some tool, or asked for help changing the flat, I'd have done that without question. Instead, he asked me for $17 and offered to give me $40 in food in return for my assistance. What would you have done in the same situation?

As it happens, we did not give the man any money and I left Walgreens feeling weird and a lot like I should have given him something. If I had cash on me I'd have probably given him money but then I can say I'd probably have felt weird about doing that too. It's a strange thing.

For now, I must say good night. It's a big day back at work tomorrow after being out for a few days. The residents are packing to leave and the RAs are finishing finals. Here's to move out week!

Week in Review

I'm not sure what kind of information could possibly top Sunday May 1st. I'll see what I can do though. The week was rather eventful and a lot has happened since my last entry. As is customary, I'll start at the beginning :)

Dalena hopped a plane and made it safely to Houston Sunday night. I spent Sunday worried for her but knowing that the weather she was flying into was 100% better than what she flew out of. The RLAC Banquet, (end of year banquet for the Resident Assistant staff) was going on and I was trying to stay present there as several of my staff members were nominated for awards. Though none of them won, I was very proud of them anyway. It was a rough semester and they did well.

After the reception, all the craziness from the last entry happened. Fast forward to Monday. Staying up really late to play on twitter after a huge world event takes place does not for a good Monday make. Begrudingly, I woke up and got ready for the week. I find it odd that though I've not been married that long, I do not sleep well when my wife is not next to me. (sappy I know, but from the guys I've talked to, this holds true) The week started out and I just seemed to be a step behind. I'm not sure what was going on other than, I was stressed about the end of the year, worried about Dalena and her family, trying to figure out how I was going to get all the things that I do done for this week and next.

Thank God, Monday came and went and while I still felt overwhelmed, it wasn't quite as bad as this might read. Tuesday was spent preparing for my class which involved a presentation I needed to make about the final project. (Side note, I'm thinking of trying to get published with some of this research so here is hoping that happens) The class went very long and made for a very late night since Tuesday night is Kerr Hall staff night. Dalena's step dad was doing all right but as rough as my week was so far, Dalena and her mom were having a rougher one. They spent Sunday-Tuesday night in the ICU waiting room.

Wednesday, I woke up and packed my clothes. I was heading to Houston after work on this day. That drive ends up getting harder and harder each time I do it. I seriously wish that someone would hurry up and make a flying car. I've got the perfect prototype right here.

Anyway, we don't have flying cars that can travel through time so I huffed it and made the drive. I am so happy to have a Mom like mine. She opened her home to Dalena and her mom and they spent the night in a reclined position in the dark. Apparently the waiting room doesn't dim the lights so they slept in a brightly lit waiting room without taking a shower.

Since I arrived to Houston, we've spent a lot of hours sitting in the Shock and Trauma Intensive Care Unit waiting for good news. It's a sad place that can really get you down if you don't take a break now and then. Some people are there hoping for a miracle and some people are there that get to see one. It's a beautiful yet grusome place. That good news we were waiting for finally came today. For a full update on Don's condition, check out his caringbridge blog. I'll share the link later on but Don is doing much better today and is actually at the point in his recovery that he should be at. Doctors are very happy with his progress and plan to perform surgery on Monday. I kind of wish I could observe this because it is going to be 6 to 9 hours worth of work starting at the top of his head and working down, repairing bones and his eye as best they can.

For now, that is about all that is going on. I feel blessed to have been able to be here with Dalena and her family. It's been a lot of sitting but on the plus side, I've been able to get homework done and meet some new people in the process too. I'm sure our dogs hate that we've been gone so much but Mom takes them out and has been spoiling them. If she spoils our dogs like this I can only imagine what she is going to do with an actual grandchild.

Tomorrow we hit the road back to our home in Denton. Dalena is a little on the stressed side now because she has a lot of work to finish and missed a full week of school work and seeing clients. We are both so glad that this week ended with a high note though and hope that things continue moving in a positive direction for Don. For the most recent updates on his condition, go here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/donfonseca

I hope you all have a restful sleep. If you pray, think about praying for Don and his recovery, for Dalena's Mom to get some rest and ease the worry in her heart, for the doctors as they prepare for the full day of surgery Monday.

Take some time this weekend to clear your mind of the worry that rests inside you. I know I feel better when I get rid of that. Have a great weekend all!