Pass It On

Joseph and Mary

By: John J. Matyjewicz

Chief, U.S. Navy, Retired

She was dirty and her nose was running. The clothes she wore were tattered and dirty. It was cold out side when Joseph

stopped in a coffee shop for a cup of tea. She was ahead of him in line and when her turn came she wanted a small coffee

and a buttered bagel, but first she asked what was cheaper butter or cream cheese. The young man behind the counter

told her the price in a snotty tone. She didn’t have enough. Joseph didn’t know if he was just giving her a higher price to

get rid of her or what, but she turned to leave. He stopped her and said wait a minute I will pay for it. Joseph told the

young man to make her coffee a large and make the bagel with egg and cheese. He got a cup of tea and a cinnamon

bun for himself and one for her. He told her to sit down at the table by the window and would bring it to her. She asked

about a restroom and Joseph pointed over in the corner. The manager came out and started to say something and

Joseph stopped him in his tracks and said she is a person to and she would stay until we finished our breakfast.

When it was ready Joseph brought her the coffee, egg sandwich, and cinnamon bun and set it in front of her. He sat

down and she couldn’t thank him enough. Joseph smiled and said the pleasure was all mine. The chatted about the

weather, how cold it was and the beautiful city they were in. She told him about how life has been hard for her since

losing her husband and children in a car accident. Joseph listened to every word. Her name was Mary. She had been

living on the street for a long time now and she couldn’t remember anyone taking the time to help her. She told

Joseph he was a very kind person. Joseph told Mary he would love to stay and talk some more, but was late for a

meeting. Mary got up and thanked him again and gave him a hug. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the young

man at the counter and the manager watching and Joseph just smiled. Before he left he gave Mary some money for

lunch and dinner and thanked her for taking the time out of her busy schedule to have breakfast with him, then they

parted ways. When Joseph turned around Mary was clutching the cup walking up the street. To Mary, Joseph was an

Angel God sent down to have breakfast with her, to Joseph Mary was his Angel.