Riding a Onewheel at night is just a different experience where you never really know what you're gonna get...
Tonight I was out riding in my local neighborhood when I run across this guy huddled into a doorstep. It's cold out tonight. I know cuz I'm rocking all kinds of snowboard gear to keep warm... I don't always stop to help the homeless. But today, I certainly had the means and the opportunity being that I live mere blocks from where this dude was sleeping. I ride past the guy at first, but immediately head home to find a warm blanket. I also grab a little cash and head back out to find him. He's in the same exact spot so I roll up and execute the smoothest heel lift stop you've ever seen... 😁 I call out to him saying "It's cold out tonight buddy. I have a blanket for you and some cash to get you by." He wakes up says "Thanks" but doesn't say much more than that. Feeling awkward, I bid him a good night, but left feeling dissatisfied. Surely I could do more...
I ride back home with thoughts of making him a warm meal, but then I spy a batch of fresh baked brownies my daughter recently made just sitting on the counter. With her permission, I grab the "still warm" brownies and once again head back out into the night. He's sitting up now as I roll up with a plate of baked treats in hand. But this time, he smiles when he sees me, and we immediately get to talking. I ask him his name and he says ironically, "My name is Kyle" and I just laugh out loud!!! "My name is Kyle too!" I explain. We talk for a bit, he explains his circumstance, and I just listen and help out where I can... After our chat, I once again bid him a good night, but this time I feel better. I feel satisfied...
I feel satisfied, not just because of the brownies, but because in our second exchange, I didn't just provide him charity. This time, I was able to give him his humanity. This time, we were able to meet and engage each other as people. It was the humanity I think he needed in that moment. But more importantly, it was the humanity I think I needed FOR ME in that same moment...
