Recently, as I was leaving a Walgreen’s pharmacy in Ogden, I encountered an elderly man who was just outside the door. He was begging for any money anyone might be able to offer.
He didn’t appear to be homeless. He wasn’t carrying a cardboard sign. He was clean and well dressed. He spoke proper, educated English. He may have been a retired teacher, or plumber, or mechanic, or accountant. He was not a bum.
He looked like an American who had worked his entire life and finally been able to retire. He looked ashamed and embarrassed.
I gave him all the money I had in my wallet and later regretted not trying to learn more about him and how much his insulin would have cost.