A couple years ago, Reddit user "pmrhobo" posted the following story online — a story which comes from his sister, who remains anonymous.
Things weren't going so well in her life. But at the same time, this young woman had recently befriended a homeless veteran who liked to hang out near her place of work. Sometimes, the two would eat lunch together and talk about their lives. The man, Tony, was disheveled. He had a thick beard and wore a black hat, and always had on his army jacket. While many people would be intimidated by him or cast him aside, she was always warm and friendly.
One particular day, when the world seemed to come crashing down around her, the woman felt a tap on her shoulder. It was Tony, and he had a strangely serious expression on his face. That's when he reached into his jacket pocket.
Scroll down to see what Tony placed in her hand…
"This is Tony.
Tony is a homeless veteran who likes to hang out near where I work. Over the past few months we have become friends and always say hi when we see each other. On certain days we eat lunch or have snacks together. Tony tells me about his war stories, loved ones, and who should win the Super Bowl. I tell Tony about my problems, loved ones, and how I don't really care who should win the Super Bowl.
This past month has been one of the hardest to get through in my life and at times there really seemed as if there wouldn't be solace. Tony was there for me, listened each day as things got worse and surely pushed me to move forward and continue working toward my dreams and ambitions."
"Today, I was walking outside still feeling sorry for myself listening to self-loathing music when I felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Tony. Tony looks at me more seriously than he usually does and says he has something for me. From his army jacket pocket, he pulls out a watch head. Tony takes my hand and gently places the broken antique in my palm.
He says to me, 'I don't have much but I wanted you to know that you have done what many others would not simply by being my friend.'"
"As Tony walked away, I started to cry. I realized at that moment sometimes when you reach out and do something kind for someone less fortunate you get back not only what you give but infinitely more.
This is Tony and I and we are friends despite the circumstances."
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