I Bought Shawarma and Coffee for a Homeless Man – He Gave Me a Note That Changed Everything

A grandmother on a rocking chair, smiling in front of a fireplace in a cozy home | Source: Midjourney

I spoke up before I knew it. “Two coffees and two shawarmas.”

The vendor nodded and worked at lightning speed. “$18,” he flatly said as he placed my order on the counter.

I handed over the money, grabbed the to-go bag and a tray, and rushed to catch up with the homeless man.

When I gave him the food, his hands shook.

“God bless you, child,” he whispered.

I nodded awkwardly, ready to hurry to head home and away from this cold weather. But his raspy voice stopped me.

Woman in her late 30s holding a to-go bag and smiling on a snowy street | Source: Midjourney

“Wait.” I turned and watched as he took out a pen and paper and scribbled something quickly, then held it to me. “Read it at home,” he said with a strange smile.

I nodded, stuffing the note into my pocket. My mind was already elsewhere, wondering if there would be any seats on the bus and what I would make for dinner.

***

At home that night, life went on as usual. My son, Derek, needed help with his science project. Amy complained about her math teacher. My husband, Tom, talked about a new client at his law firm.

A mother helping her son with homework | Source: Midjourney

The note stayed forgotten in my coat pocket until I started gathering clothes for the laundry the next evening.

I opened the crumpled paper and read the message:

“Thank you for saving my life. You don’t know this, but you’ve already saved it once before.”

Below the message was a date from three years ago and the name “Lucy’s Café.”

The clothes I was holding nearly slipped from my hands. Lucy’s had been my regular lunch spot before it closed.

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