Two Word Challenge - Hot Meal

Hot Meal

The line grew longer and we worked faster, trying to provide a hot meal to as many as we could. The soup kitchen was mobbed as it usually was and people were either pathetically grateful or afraid to look you in the eyes.

It wasn't long ago that we'd come so close to not being able to feed ourselves, nor put a roof over our heads. We'd been frequent visitors to that same soup kitchen and we'd eat with the people there tonight too, after we'd finished serving.

There is no shame in being poor, but you can't help but feel it on the street when people look at you as if you're somehow less than they are. Lower than low. We were still pretty poor, but volunteering now, in the same place we used to eat any meal they'd give us. With a roof over our heads, we aren't better than anyone and have never thought we were.

Besides, volunteering is one heck of a lot easier than being on the other side, in that line - hungry and waiting for a hot meal.

mn - 2007