Hundreds of Hundreds

One cheapskate's stories of giving and connection
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Lucie and Ben

They probably had little in common with me as the dirty, hungry traveling girl of all those years ago.

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A Day For Everyone

“The hardest part is expenses with my van – about $300 every month in gas, just driving around town!”

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Ren’s Key

She’s the lovely one. With a giant key around her neck.

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One Way

“My daughter’s birthday is coming up. You understand what I’m saying?”

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Hello in There

“I injured my back in ’89 and haven’t been able to do any of my trades since then.”

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Grand

I could hear her patiently explaining the consignment policy.

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C’est La Vie

“We really are struggling right now. This is a huge blessing.”

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Wondering

“Yeah, I’m waiting for the bus now.”

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Smiling Down

Betty had some words for me. “Think about your mother today.”

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We’re Okay

A manager came over, more officious than helpful.

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Our Name is Andrea

They told me their name was Andrea, both of them.

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Communing With Strangers

“Oh, that’s too much!” she cried. “I could never take that!”

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Being George

He’s got a roof over his head for now.

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A Mythical Orb

I caught up with the man as he was locking his bike up on the rack.

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Pilgrimage

She tucked the bill into her mother’s hand.

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You’re a Blessing

“You really got me right here,” he said, patting his chest.

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Spring Forward

Kyle said all each of us can do is be ourselves.

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On the Road

I followed her out of the bathroom as she headed back to work.

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Energy or Something

I caught up with the two of them as they were leaving the store.

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Dead Air

Smell and taste something delicious today. Savor every molecule.

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Listen

I couldn’t make out all the words but I loved their folksy yet ethereal and slightly gritty sound.

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Signs of Spring

As I walked home, there were signs of spring everywhere.

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Peter In The Sun

“They say I’m a perfect candidate for a transplant.”

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Best Bus Stop Ever

He’d been feeling pretty down, and just trying to accept that things were going to be tough for a while.

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Dylan, In Stripes

Dylan said he believes if you have a positive attitude that things will work out.

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Awesome

They were visiting from Bellingham. They like rocks. They were hungry.

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Resolved

“Well, we sure could use it! Thank you!”

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Happy New Year

There was quite a lot of conversation and camaraderie among people as they waited their turn.

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Small Talk

His friend was working the check stand today. “So I was in his line, making small talk.”

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See You Around

I asked the dad how they landed on the street and he told me he lost his job as a painter.

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Twice Blessed

They are staying with their parents right now, along with four foster kids ages 9 and up.

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So Grateful

Then he said, “You want something? You want to go shopping?”

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No Kidding

“I know exactly what I’m going to do,” she said somberly.

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Calling All Angels

She said she takes care of Amaya one or two days a week and has ever since she was a baby.

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How About You?

What came next caught me off guard.

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Say Hi

The man smiled and shrugged. “Sure, why not?”

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Right On

He took one last look at the elderly woman, then started pushing the empty cart to the cart return.

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The Love Machine

He used to be a tree trimmer. In 1994 there was an accident in which he fell 60 feet.

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Inseparable

The man shook his head again, and the despair started to pour out of him.

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Lucie and Ben

by Jill Ginsberg on November 20, 2012 · 8 Comments

Two months have passed since my last visit to the WordPress dashboard. A full month went by when I didn’t make a single gift. Strangely ironic that it was October, the month two years ago during which I gave away a hundred dollar bill every single day. A lot has happened. A couple of weeks after […]

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A Day for Everyone

by Jill Ginsberg on September 16, 2012 · 3 Comments

Wow. How did we get halfway into September? Next you are going to tell me that summer is over. Psshaw! We are having the best weather of the year here in the Northwest; I don’t want to believe it. But when I see my neighbor’s pumpkin vines dying back and the tired green of my […]

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Ren’s Key

by Jill Ginsberg on August 23, 2012 · 2 Comments

I’ve been carrying a hundred dollar bill in my pocket every day for weeks. It’s been strange. Yesterday I was in the vicinity of Voodoo Donuts and the flood of need nearly drowned me. On every corner there were people lying on the ground. The sidewalks were filled with rag-tag wanderers, and people were panhandling […]

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One Way

by Jill Ginsberg on July 30, 2012 · 1 Comment

What is wrong with people? If you were on the road today, maybe you noticed: folks were driving like fools. In my short spin around town, I encountered more than the usual amount of bad driving. One guy turned the corner into the wrong lane of a two way street and was headed right for […]

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Hello in There

by Jill Ginsberg on July 17, 2012 · 4 Comments

Every day, Louise asks me the same question: “Did you give money away today?” “No,” I say, somewhat sheepishly. She is shocked. “You couldn’t find anyone who needed a hundred dollars?”

That’s not the problem. The need is everywhere.

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Grand

by Jill Ginsberg on June 24, 2012 · 7 Comments

I have news which may explain my slovenly habits here on the blogosphere. I have been distracted and somewhat unsettled, as well as pretty wrapped up in myself. Giving, and even opening my eyes to the people around me, has been a challenge. A few months ago I started thinking about making a change in […]

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C’est La Vie

by Jill Ginsberg on June 10, 2012 · No Comments

Have you been to Fred Meyer lately? What a mess! They are doing a major renovation that won’t be completed until November. Nothing is where you expect it to be and we shoppers can become a grouchy bunch. I think I walked about 40 miles. First I did my shopping, including a few items from […]

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Wondering

by Jill Ginsberg on May 26, 2012 · 2 Comments

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about connecting with strangers. Wondering why it’s so hard. Why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Why some people seem to expect good things to happen, and others expect nothing. Or worse. Some people seem to be surprised (and offended) when life intrudes on their plans for a perfect […]

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Smiling Down

by Jill Ginsberg on May 13, 2012 · 2 Comments

It’s been a perfect Mother’s Day so far. Elijah has been pampering us with food and drink and we got to video chat with Aaron, who will be home for a visit in a couple of weeks. Louise wanted to get a hanging flower basket so we walked down to Fred Meyer together. The store […]

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We’re Okay

by Jill Ginsberg on April 29, 2012 · 1 Comment

I had pretty much forgotten about the “layaway angels.” It’s so strange how when something isn’t in the news – it’s like it doesn’t exist. Like homelessness, war, and hunger. And goodness, kindness and redemption. I was near the checkout at Sears yesterday and a woman and her daughter caught my eye. I said hello […]

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  • Recent Posts

    • Lucie and Ben
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    • One Way
    • Hello in There
    • Grand
    • C’est La Vie
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