Today I went to downtown Dayton again attempting to find Pappy from Day 7. I thought I was in luck a man walking toward the corner where I met Pappy at with a coat that resembled his. I ran across the street and ran under the bridge area yelling “Hey Pappy”.
The man turned around and I said, “Oh, you’re not Pappy”.
“No, I’m Ted,” he replied,”can I help you.”
Hmmm, well yes you can. I told Ted about the project I was working on and that today I wanted to give him $10. “Are you serious,” Ted replied, “you don’t know what this means to me.”
When asked what he was going to do with the money Ted replied, “look over there at the BP, do you see the girl walking with the purple pants on. That’s my girl, I’m going to go buy her and I some food.” He then said, “maybe tomorrow you will meet her and give her $10.” Ted made me laugh with that reply. “You never know,” I replied.
Ted told me that Pappy had left for the day and he was leaving as well, “The cops give us tickets after 3:30 you know.”
As we walked back toward the streets Ted told me he was young and dumb and it really messed his life up. He’s been on the streets for 8 years now and doesn’t see being off of the streets anytime soon.
“You’re a real gem,” he said. “Most young girls would never be brave enough to confront people like me and you were very willing to talk to me, that shows you are a real genuine person.”
Thanks Ted!
-Melinda T. from Xenia, OH | Dec. 24, 2010
Year of Giving 
Melinda, I have also tried to go back and find homeless people that I had met at the same spot. Sometimes you never see them again.
Ted is right too…you are a gem.
-Reed
You’re doing a great job, Melinda! Your courage is admirable, but take care! 🙂
Gosh! ‘people like me’—that gives us all something to think about. He just likes like the typical person we all see hiding from the cold.