Day 8 -- Checking people in for lunch at a shelter

"You've got to get up every morning
With a smile in your face
And show the world all the love in your heart" -- Carole King

Today I went to help with lunch at a shelter for people who are homeless or who are among the working poor. My job was simply to check people (mostly men) in as they walked through the door. In total, about 40 came through. I tried to greet people in a friendly way as they walked in and again as they were leaving. Most of the people seemed like they had been there before, so they knew what to do. There was little conversation among them -- they seemed to mostly sit quietly and contently while eating a meal of vegetables, yogurt, pasta, salad and chicken that would please even the most health conscious of eaters.

Noticeably absent were cellphones. While there was no sign prohibiting anyone from using them, I didn't see a single person talking on his phone, or texting or doing anything else with any technological device. I realized they aren't quite as ubiquitous as they seem in most of the circles that I travel in, which was a welcome realization!