Catnip for Crazy

Today I had happen to me, one of the oddest things that has happened to me in quite some time. On my way to work, I was sitting at a light on Lamar at Louisiana (across the street from my office) waiting for it to change. Though there were at least 40 people waiting for various Park and Rides and buses, I was the only vehicle in the intersection and I was sitting in the middle lane. I happened to glance up to my right and noticed a man in the crosswalk and it was a sight that just about broke my heart.

I won't pass judgment, but what I DO know is this. He couldn't have weighed 90 pounds soaking wet, he was elderly, it was 100-degree-hot and he appeared to be homeless. He was also clutching his freakishly large clothes in what looked like an attempt to keep them on his frail body. I said a prayer for this man and looked back at the signal, waiting.

A few seconds later, I glance over again (just generally trying to pay attention to what's going on around me) and this same man is now standing on the corner and staring at me. I smiled in his general direction and, not wanting to be rude, quickly faced forward to stare at the light (and admittedly break eye contact). But the next thing you know, as I looked out of the corner of my eye I realized that this man is about to start knocking on my passenger side window! I look over at him and...he smiled. Just one really, really big smile and then waved. Then he hurried back to the sidewalk and kept going. I was laughing so hard, but not NEARLY as hard as the people waiting at the bus stops on either side of me--they were cracking up!

Living in Downtown Houston, or really just Houston period, I have become very accustomed to interacting with homeless people. I live within blocks of the Womens' Shelter, Salvation Army Home for Men and one of the city's soup kitchens, Loaves and Fishes. Most of them are friendly, mean no harm and some of them aren't even bold enough to ask for anything. Of course I thought he was knocking to ask for money, but he proved me wrong and just said hello.

Funny world we live in. Needless to say, I'm still laughing at the incident because overall, it was pretty amusing. I'll never know why exactly he decided to come up to my Jeep and say hello. Maybe he thought I was pretty. Maybe he was going to ask for money and changed his mind. Maybe he caught me looking at him and was offended and he was making a point. Maybe he was just stark raving mad. But either way it goes, all I can do now is shake my head and say, "damn, I must be like catnip for crazy!"