My sister Chrissy joined us for our deliveries in 2002. She was so moved that she cried the entire time. In 2004 my sister Dana came. Chrissy came, too, and this time she brought her two teenagers and a friend of her daughter’s. Chrissy’s son’s heart was cold and he just thought they “should get a job.” That is until he found out that Breezy’s father had been homeless most of her life. Corey was somewhat shocked. Clifford and I have been together since before Corey was born. He didn’t know Max even existed. Now that he could associate homelessness with his cousin’s dad, it had a face. I think it softened him some. At our last stop, my niece, Katie, looked at me and said, “This is so sad.” I said, “Yes, it is. Makes you realize just how good we have it, doesn’t it?” She said, “Yeah, Corey. See how good we have it!”

  At this point we had given out just about everything we had and were about to leave – when a bald man walked up and asked if we had any hats left. We had already given them all away. He said, “Well, thank you anyway,” and started to walk away. I said, “Wait a minute. You can have my hat.” He said, “Really? I can have your Santa hat!” I said, “Sure,” and handed it to him. He thanked me and walked away. Katie nudged me and pointed to him as he crossed the street. He had the hat on his head and a bouncier step. She incredulously said, “You gave him your hat!” I shrugged my shoulders and said, “Sure. I have another hat. I’m not homeless and I’m not bald.” Such a minor gesture opened her eyes in a whole new way, I think.