He Made A Difference

Today I went for a walk on the beach, not an uncommon thing to do this time of year. I grew up on an island and spent most of my life there. I have many fond memories of being on or near the water. Today as I was walking, with the wind brushing my skin and the feel of salt in the air, one of my beach memories floated through my mind.
About one year ago I was in a European country, sitting on the beach, being a good student and doing my lessons, when the actions and looks of a gentleman drew my attention. What were the actions - he was picking up garbage on the beach, and the looks - he looked like he spent alot of time in the elements and his clothes were not in the best condition, could he be homeless? In many places it would not be a strange occurance to pick up garbage, but in this particular country it was not uncommon to see people throw things on the street, litter and littering was a problem. When I would see paper blowing, or other litter, pick it up then put it in the garbage, residents would look at me like I was part of a sideshow at the circus. So why was this man picking up garbage - was he being forced to, was he part of a "chain gang" or maybe he was fulfilling probation terms. This man was prepared for the job, complete with garbage bags.
Everyone has a story and I wondered what his was. I watched in hopes of getting some answers, but didn't arrive at any conclusions. I decided to ask, while I still had my opportunity. I was in luck, the gentleman was from England and spoke my language. He told me he was "just walking" and that as he walked he picked up garbage wherever he went. At one point in the conversation he looked down and he said "you know tomorrow it probably won't make a difference. You will see garbage here again and no one will even know that I was here." I assured him that it did make a difference.
I admired so much what he was doing that I wanted to do something for him. I wasn't sure what he did for food or where he was getting meals. All I had with me was my lunch money, which I gladly gave him. I could go without one meal and he could have lunch and maybe even replenish his garbage bags.
The next morning I was prepared to help this man again. I rushed to the beach only to find that the tide had brought more garbage in and the person I think of as the "I'm just walking and I pick up garbage wherever I go" man was gone. He was wrong about "tomorrow it probably won't make a difference...and no one will even know that I was here." If you ever happen to be in Europe and see a man just walking and picking up garbage as he goes, let him know he did make a difference and I will remember for a long time to come that he was there. I beleive in leaving things a little better than we find them, whether they are places, situations, or interactions with people and this man truly exemplified this - he certainly left everywhere he went better than he found it.