Five Inches.

In my adult life, when it has been very cold and when snow is on the ground, when I snuggle into bed with my layers of clothing from top to bottom and hot water bottles, I sometimes think of those less fortunate than myself who are asleep outside, with only the clothes they are wearing and a thin blanket.

The people who sit outside certain stores and ask, “Have you got any change?” A lot of them go home at night, some go to a shelter for the night, or a half way house. Many, they are genuinely homeless. It is difficult for me and millions of others to know the real homeless to those who are fakes.

I used to sometimes give to some, but when I learned that, a lot of the beggars, they are wealthy. I stopped giving to them. My husband, Paul, about three times a year, he will follow his heart and give money to a person who is sitting outside a shop.  When he does this, he usually does not give coins, but a note. I do not ask, “How much did you give?” For it is none of my business. It always makes me feel very proud of him, and I burst with pride inside. I love it when he follows his heart. He gives to male or female, he knows, why he gives to that one and not another.

This morning, I was going to my Mum’s flat, I was armed with my de-icer for I saw from last night that it was frosty and this morning, it had gotten worse. I don’t like the frost of my car, as the cold plays havoc with my car.

As I approached my car, it was near the bottom of the road, I took the de-icer and gave the front windscreen a good spray. Next, I went to the passenger side window for that too was thick with frost.

I unlocked the car, and none of the doors would open! Oh dear, I hoped I would not be late going to Mum’s. I remembered last year when that happened, and the doors would not open, I had to go on the bus, with the promise of going to the garage. I did not go to the garage, my car sort of sorted itself out, until this morning. After a minute I tried the door behind the passenger side seat, but it was still frozen. I went to the back of my car, to put a large bag in, but it was then I noticed a car that had unusually parked too close to my car.

It was impossible to stand behind my car, it was five inches from my car, I was unable to open my boot. Thank goodness that I always when I can, leave a lot of space in front of me when I park.

It did not make sense to me why this car with no other cars behind it would park this close to my car. I was puzzled. It is Saturday, where the road is not busy with workers, using our road to park, then walking to the Town. Monday to Friday, the road would be full of cars.

It was then that I looked at the small car that was parked behind mine, I could see a pretty, floral, what I thought was a blanket. I looked at it, and when I did, it moved! The front passenger seat of the driver side, was almost flat and a person was underneath the blanket!

It was SO cold this morning, before I left home, I had put the heating on for my sleeping family, so that it would be nice and warm, when they got up.

Lots of thoughts whirled through my mind, how long has this person been sleeping in their car? It was very cold last night and this morning, they must be freezing in there. It would have been uncomfortable. I thought, I wouldn’t have a bright pink blanket that stood out so much, but a navy or black colour to blend in with the colour of the car. Then I thought, beggars can’t be choosers. I thought, they would have to make sure they don’t need the loo in the night. There are no public loos near our road, just a little luxury like that. There would be no tea and toast for breakfast, the moment they woke up.

I thought when I put my car on, the noise would wake them up, as I tried to warm up my car so that it would melt the window, so that I could see where I was going.

I knew I had £25 in my purse, for I had sorted my many receipts, out this morning, as I was looking for one, so that I could take an item back. I thought, if the person wakes up and looks at me, I would offer them the money. I would be more than happy to give it to them, if it could make, them warm, and their day a little better                

They didn’t wake up, I was disappointed, I half wanted to knock the window, but I didn’t want to disturb them.

I think I know why they parked so close to me, so as not to be alone. If I had not left a lot of space in front of me, I would have to have woken the driver up, because I would not have been able get out of the space.

I wished them a good day, and hoped everything worked out well for them.