A story from the soup kitchen

(and what it taught me about failed relationships and the glamorous world of sports)

I haven’t blogged in years…so long in fact, that I can’t actually remember the last time I collected my thoughts in writing. Life has a way of keeping us preoccupied and how often we overlook the basics – those little things that inspire us and give us a true sense of satisfaction.

But today I heard a story that resinated with me, and I feel compelled to share it.

I was given the opportunity to co-host a show this morning from a soup kitchen in Kelowna. My co-host and I helped to prepare a daily lunch and prep for upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner. This location feeds on average, 150 homeless or in-need individuals daily.

As I spoke to one of the kitchen coordinators off camera, he shared a personal story with me.

Prior to working at the soup kitchen, this gentleman had owned his own restaurant. As it turned out, a well-to-do tradesmen that had done work on his establishment ended up injuring himself on the job. Details aside, the tradesman could not afford the costs of his health care and slowly had his property seized. In time he also became depressed.

These two men that had previously done business at the restaurant ended up crossing paths again – as all things in life eventually come full circle – this time though, they connected at the soup kitchen when the one-time tradesman came in for a meal served by the ex-restaurant owner. A man that had once earned nearly three figures annually, through a turn of fate, could now not afford to feed himself.

I listened to this story of highs and lows and bit my lip to keep from tearing up. On my drive home, I still couldn’t shake the emotions I felt not only from this story, but from the entire experience and my interaction with others at the kitchen.

Just yesterday I was sulking over my own “hardships” – my rusted truck, the half furnished suite I just moved into, and the fact I couldn’t afford the brand name boots I wanted. I shook my fist at the universe when my feelings were hurt by a thoughtless boy and I took pity on myself.

We always think “our” problems are the worst, but this shit pales in comparison to what I saw today. How fortunate am I to have my health, a roof over my head, and enough food to keep my belly full. How selfish of me to pout over my lack of enviable materialistic possessions, or an incompatible mate.

I felt the need to share this simple, yet heartfelt story, because I know I’m not the only one who sometimes takes things for granted. Working in the world of sports I am exposed to people who make more money in one year than I’ll ever see in my lifetime. It’s glamorous, and of course we all want to reap the rewards when our hard work pays off, but it is easy to get tied up in it all.

Today was a reality check – in life and in love – to not take anything for granted.