MEET GARY

“I am not a piece of trash.”

This was a surprisingly emotional experience. I met Gary recently right in front of a venue where I was scheduled to speak about the Kindness Card Movement.

After sharing his tragic story with me, I asked what message he’d want me to share with the audience inside that very building behind us.

I told him I would display our photo on two massive screens and share his message, verbatim.

He paused, covered his face for a moment, then stuttered through his tears.

“Please tell them I’m not a piece of trash.”

As our discussion continued, we both noted how many people walked by and looked at us both as if we were a nuisance.

As if we were polluted and dirty, contagious and dangerous.

I saw for myself what he meant. No one made eye contact, no one smiled.

One woman actually looked at me, smirked, grabbed her purse tightly, and rolled her eyes as she passed.

I cannot imagine living a life where at best the world pretends you don’t exist, and at worse you’re treated like litter.

Gary, I cannot speak for those people on the sidewalk Thursday night, but I can speak for the people reading this post. 

You are not a piece of trash.