I found myself in the picturesque neighborhood of Georgetown. As I walked along M Street, I notice a man on the corner of M and Wisconsin sitting in front of the Banana Republic store.
I cross the street and make my way to where he is sitting. John has on a pink foam hat that says Vintage Virginia (I have been to this wine festival and was not impressed), a heavy wool blanket wrapped around him and a mini disco ball on a chain that hangs from his neck. I stopped to talk to the 52-year-old homeless man and walked away with a smile on my face.
A clever phrase, a warm smile, or just a wave seems to work for John as he is successful in getting the attention of those who walk past him. His kindness and free-flowing smile seem to almost warm the crisp winter air.
John has been homeless for about 5 years he explained. His life took a dramatic turn after he lost his wife and child in an auto accident. He also said that he lost his other son due to heart failure at the age of 17 while playing basketball. Too much personal tragedy for one person.
Now, he has become somewhat of a regular at this intersection I found out from a neighborhood local. I asked John about his hat and disco ball. He said they were gifts and he has worn them for over a year and that people remember him by his crazy pink hat. That may be partly true, but I will remember him not for his hat, but for how friendly and optimistic he was despite his situation.
On top of being homeless, John suffers from heart disease and is an insulin dependent diabetic. He recently lived through a difficult situation when he was denied benefits to get his insulin. He doesn’t appear angry though. He seemed to just take everything in stride. We chatted for a while about all kinds of things; from his health stories to a meeting he had with Mayor Adrian Fenty to his fondness for really tall women! Hey, if there are any 6’ or taller women out there who want to meet a really nice man, let me know and I will hook you up with John!
I asked South Carolina native about the hat. He says that everyone knows him now by the pink hat. He has other hats too. A turkey hat for Thanksgiving, a complete Santa Outfit for Christmas, a red, white, and blue hat for the 4th of July, etc. He doesn’t have an Easter Bunny hat, so if anyone has one that they would like to give to him, let me know!
I asked John what he was going to do with the $10 and he replied with a big smile that revealed some missing teeth that he would get himself a big vegetable dinner. He was very thankful of my donation. I asked him how much he collects on a good day and he said about $30-$40. I think he might have lowballed me on this, as I saw at least $5 make its way to his bucket while I was standing there and a few more as I jotted down some notes from across the street after I spoke to him. I bet a good day for him is at least double what he stated. He explained that people do a lot of nice things for him and I asked him what has been the best “gift” so far. “Conversation,” he said without hesitation. I was touched by this. A man who desperately needs financial resources valued the conversation of others much more than the money that they were giving him.
If you are in Georgetown, keep an eye out for the pink hat and stop and say hello to John. It will be worth your time, trust me.
Year of Giving 
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