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@kaash
Guest
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What will you do if you want to make a difference in the world,
leave a markOr put a deposit on a ticket into heaven?would you
think big and pick the flashiest or more grandiose of acts? Or
would you quietely persevere everyday,doing one personal deed at a time?
Michael Christiano, a New York City court officer,rises
every morning at 4 a.m.In good and bad weather,workday or holiday
and walks into his sandwich shop.
No, he does not own a deli,it’s really his personal kitchen.
In it are the fixings of his famous sandwiches,famous only
to those who desperately need them to stave off hunger for the day.
By 5.50 am he’s making the rounds of the makeshift homeless shelters
on Centre and Lafayette Streets,near New York’s city Hall.
In a short time,he gives out 200 sandwiches to as many homeless
people as he can,before beginning his work day in the courthouse.
It started 20 years ago with a cup of coffee and a roll for a
homeless man named John.
Day after day,Michael brought John sandwiches,tea,clothes,and when
it was really cold,a resting place in his car while he worked.
In the beginninh Michael just wanted to do a good deed.
But one day a voice in his head compelled him to do more.
On this cold,winter morning
He asked John if he would like to get cleaned up.
it was an empty offer,because Michael was sure John would refuse.
Unexpectedly John said,”are you gonna wash me”
Michael heard an inner voice say,put your money where your mouth is.
He helped John wash cut his hair shaved him and shared breakfast with him.
John was very happy but had tears in his eyes,
and Michael kept his smileon.
Michael believed that he got a calling and he believed
he can do more for the feeling which he was getting.
An then he asked John about his friends and others.
With the idea for his sandwiches born,Michael began his calling.
He receives no corporate sponsorship,saying,”I am not looking for
an act of charity that goes in the Record books or I get attention”.
i just want to do good,day by day,in my small way. Sometimes it
comes out of my pocket,sometimes I get help.
But this is really something I can do,one day and one person at a time.
“there are days when it is snowing” he says,”and I have a hard time
leaving my warm bed and the comfort of my family to go downtown with sandwiches.but then that voice in me starts chattering and I get to it.”
And get to it he does.Michael has made 200 sandwiches everyday for
the past 20 years.
“when I giveout sandwiches,”Michael explains,”I don’t simply lay
them on a table for folks to pick up.i look everyone in the eye,
shake their hands,and I offer them my wishes for a good and
hopeful day.each person is important to me in don’t see them
as ‘the homeless,’ but as people who need food,an encouraging
smile and some positive views and some positive human contact.”
“once Mayor Koch turned up to make the rounds with me.he did not
invite any media,it was just us” says Maichael.
But of all Michael's memories,working side by side witht the Mayor
was not as important as working next to someone else.
a man had disappeared from thwe ranks of the sandwich takers,and
Michael thought about him from time to time.he hoped the man had
moved on to more comfortable conditions.He with his comopanions
and friends was very happy and wanted to thank him on behalf of
everyone.Though he could not utter a word Michael undestood by his silence.
Michaels daily dose of fresh food,warm handshakes,eye
contact and well wishes had given these people the hope and
encouragement they so desperately needed.Michael kept followong
his own rules,beliefs and kept doing his deeds with a feeling of nothing to expect anything cuz he thought he does it for his own happiness.
Meladee McCarty
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on eTI community..
