Bench Sitting

Yesterday, I was sitting on a park bench waiting for Jenny to meet me. I felt a poke in my knee. I looked up and there were 2 boys in front of me. One of them was poking me with a knife, asking for money. When I said no, they poked harder. They threatened me until I gave them all I had (Or all they saw I had, thank goodness. I had just come from the bank). As I gave them the money (10bs, which is less than $2), I looked at them and asked, "why do you do this?" When it happens, you feel about as tall as an ant. You feel horrible inside, and that is exactly how they want you to feel, powerless. I did feel that, but I also felt sad and mad that these boys have to live like this. Their very existence is devaluing all humankind. They thrive on intimidation. There is no sense of human dignity, its get what you can, however you can get it. As I walked away, I wondered if these boys have ever been loved. Have they ever had a parent or a sibling or even a friend who has cared for them in a genuine way to show them love? Maybe next time that happens, I will try to talk them into going to a restaurant, and getting them a nice hot meal, if they are truly hungry. That would show them that I think of them as a person, not as a scary creature.