The thermometer was at zero Tuesday as I left the downtown YMCA about 8 p.m. and headed to my home in Capitol Hill. Layered up with a wind-stopping leather jacket over a hooded sweatshirt, I was walking south on Lincoln and looking forward to warming up in a cuddling pile with my wife, novelist and supermom Yvonne Montgomery, our dachshunds, Samson and Riley, and our cat, Muggsy.
I scarcely noticed the SUV carrying a Latino couple until the driver pulled over and called out, “You’re not homeless, are you?”
“Not even close,” I laughed.
“I didn’t think so,” he said, as he resumed his patrol.
I live about a mile and a half from The Denver Post and have walked to and from work for 30 years. My 6-foot-3 frame usually discourages unwelcome attention, but I do keep a wary eye on strangers when walking at night. Prepared to deal with trouble, I hadn’t expected to meet angels.
Once they knew I didn’t need their help, the angels drove off. But when the import of their question sank in, I was grateful to live in a city with such caring people. Not all solitary men walking along Lincoln late at night are headed to snug harbors. My angels may have saved one or more such unfortunates from freezing in the brutal cold wave that gripped Denver.
Samaritans like those are the people I hoped to encourage with my Nov. 26 column, “March of the fuzzy ducks,” highlighting philanthropic alternatives to the materialistic frenzy of the holiday season. A small gift, such as a goat or flock of ducks, can literally change lives in Third World countries. This is the fifth year I’ve made that appeal and, as always, I was gratified by the reader response.
One lovely missive came from state Rep. Mike May of Parker.
What a timely column for our family! I had just read your column prior to our annual family meeting to discuss what we should get for all those in our family who lack for nothing in the way of material goods. In a unanimous vote of the May Family Christmas Committee, we chose the goats for needy families. Committee members include our 10-year-old daughter Lindsay (representing the Princess Party), 11-year-old daughter Alexandra (representing the Village Idiot Party – her dog Coco is affectionately known as the Village Idiot in our family), our 13-year-old son Jeffrey (representing the Fantasy Football Party), and my wife Traci and I (Queen and King, respectively). Rarely does the committee come to a unanimous conclusion and certainly not without heated debate (especially when the young committee members are parting with some of their own cash).
In addition, the May Family Christmas Committee was so moved by your article that we also voted to sponsor a child through World Vision. Julio of Mexico is a welcome addition to our family.
Thank you. Your column (which I occasionally, sometimes, once-in- awhile agree with) touched our family this week and allowed us to share some of our material wealth with others in need around the world. You’re a good man, Bob Ewegen.
Actually, my friends will tell you I’m pretty much a stinker. I just know a lot of really good people who once in awhile shame me into acting like a better man than I really am. Mike is one of those guys. As he jokingly noted, we’re often on opposite sides of the political fence, but I respect his unfailing good humor and decency. I was delighted that after so many years of my columns “getting his goat” in the metaphorical sense, I finally wrote one that accomplished the same end literally. Mike is too good a Christian to want public credit for his deeds, but I know he’ll forgive me for sharing his letter to encourage others to follow his family’s example.
For those who missed the column about life-changing gifts, the World Vision catalog is available online at www.worldvision.org. You can also call for a catalog at 888-511-6598, or write to World Vision United States, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716.
World Vision is a Christian organization and those who prefer a secular alternative should consider Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203, or www.heifer.org. You can call them at 501-907-2600 or 800-422-0474.
This holiday season, why not change someone’s life for the better? It might even be your own.
Bob Ewegen is deputy editorial page editor of The Denver Post.
