With frigid temperatures occurring, let’s not forget about those people who are homeless.

Many people think this cannot happen to them, but it can. Many citizens are just a few paychecks away from falling into this catastrophe.

Homeless people are human beings, just like you and me, but have fallen on hard times. There should be empathy and sympathy for folks who have to battle these conditions day in and day out.

When I would walk for exercise, I would always see this supposedly homeless man walking near the railroad tracks. He was always very courteous and would always speak, and I did, too.

One day just before Thanksgiving, I asked the stranger if he wanted to go to a restaurant and get something to eat. His reply was, “Just bring me a turkey sandwich with all the fixings on it.” I told him I would. I kept my word, and the next day went to the usual spot with a turkey sandwich in hand but never saw him. I did it for the next couple of days also, but never saw him again.

The moral of this story is to be nice to everyone, no matter who they are. There isn’t a cost for being nice. We never know if we will fall into this type of predicament. We hope not, but life is full of twists and turns. Food for thought.

ERNEST PARKER JR.

Richmond