Dave

A kind, friendly man who's story proves how life can change in an instant...

Meeting Dave was very eye opening for me. Our conversation began with friendly table talk, getting to know one another and as I got to know him I began to see him for the kind, smart man he was. As we began to get deeper into his life, his story surprised me and helped me to realize that life can change at any instant and that none of us are really that far away from resorting to soup kitchens or shelters to get by. 

Dave shared stories with me of how he was a successful roofer, getting two pay checks a week and was doing much better than just getting by. Dave lived a life similar to one that most of us do. He had a job, a home, food on the table and a comfortable lifestyle. But one day that all changed for him. After falling four stories while roofing, Dave suffered from injuries that he left him unable to work. With no paycheck and no way to pay the bills Dave resorted to money under the table and welfare. But, he explains to me that they just don't pay the bills. Dave spoke of how injury put a damper on his whole life and left him stuck in a state of resorting to soup kitchens to get by. He explained to me that if he could work he would and wishes for nothing more than to be able to work again. Dave's life changing injury shows how life is sometimes far beyond our control and we are left to make the best of what we have. 

Dave's story helped me to realize and understand that hardship can happen to any of us at any moment. If there was one thing that I have learned from Dave, it is to understand that everyone has a story and a reason for living the way they do. It is easy to judge and assume that people are in the state they are due to their own choice or lack of effort, but it is stories like Dave's that prove the opposite. I hope that we can all take away from Dave's story and remember to never assume we know all there is to know about someone by first glance and to never judge a book by its cover. So often we are quick to judge and make assumptions, it is stories like Dave's that remind us to look past our preconceptions and realize that just because we may know a name does not mean we know a story. 

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