I pulled up to the strip mall off east ponce here in atlanta where it seems I spend a lot of time because it has lots of what I need on a weekly basis...

I get approached by homeless people frequently here and always talk to them a little to find out their names and their stories....

AND THEN I MET CARI!!!!

It was pouring down rain here in atlanta and i was getting saoking wet when I heard a voice say " EXCUSE ME SIR.. It was a woman who asked if I could spare a little change. Before i coud even say anything a security guy approached us both to shoo her away from panhandling. i told the officer I was fine with her and for the next two hours Cari shared her world with me.

We went to whole foods first and I shopped and i told her to go to the hot bar and get her some food. We went to the check out line and it was busy so she said "let's  go to the self check out line." I said It intimidates me but she said "Let's go she could do it and she did. 

We walked to my truck soaking wet. Neither of us had umbrellas. She had a few clothes hid in the bushes soaking wet but said "Just leave'em"

So I asked Cari what her story was.... She was working at piccadiliy just a few months ago and got laid off after a year almost because of the economy. she lost her apt and her ability to take care of her three kids. Someone is watching her three kids for her and she talks to them when she can to assure them she is safe.. She has no safety net to help. Molested as a child she fled home after high school. She was getting by until she lost her job....

Then it seems she lost everything except her spirit.

We wnt to family dollar and bought her an umbrella and a pair of pants/ shirt and socks. That's all she said she needed.  I took her to a place where a "friend " lets her stay for $5 a nite where she can lock her door because all kinds of things are going on elsewhere in the house.  She stays here when she can. other times she sells herself for sex to get food/ housing ...whatever it takes to get thru the day. I get it... and do not judge!

I dropped her off at her " friends" drug infested street and she told me not to pull up too close or they would run to my car to sell me some crack. Sure enough I witnessed several cars do just that.

I gave her some money to get by on for a little and gave her my number. i told her to meet me next Saturday at whole foods and we'd go to my house and do a little work.  I gave her my number though she doesnt have a phone and said I hope to see you next sat at 9am. She gave me a hug and I hugged her back.


And to think when i left my house to head to whole foods  i thought..."What a yucky day!". Then i met Cari and realized the sun was shining brightly on me and my life and it was time to share the sunshine!


 So when you think youve had a rough day... Take a deep breathe and say to yourrself....
I Hope and pray CARI is ok!

BUMP IT UP!

PS Her kids names are Bridget, kimberly, and Darius..Thought you should know your mom is ok today! She loves you. I saw it in her eyes when she told me your names!

Everywhere I go in this great city I unfortunately see people who have falleb on hard times. Many have made their own lot and many have fallen upon hard times. Regardless these people often become invisible in our communities and our cities.

Often we come across a homelless person and turn the other way. it's not that we dont care it's just that it is out of our comfort zone, today i met TODD while going into the smoothie king when he saw me going in. He asked me if I had any cahnge and I told hime to give me a minute and I would be out. I asked him if he wanted a smoothie and he said NO. I REALLY want a hamburger.

When I got out there was TODD. we talked a few minutes just talking and I gave him $5. When I was younger and gave money I always wondered if it was used to buy food, but as I got older I realized it didin't matter what was done with the money. I put a good deed out there and that act of kindness was and should be unconditional.

As I pulled away and ran a quick errand i couldn't help but notice a familiar figure walking up the street and then he turned RIGHT! It was TODD. He was going to MacDonald's to get a hamburger. sometimes you just have to BELIEVE! BUMP IT UP! and stay safe TODD. Any you know the funny thing after I gave TODD the money he said THANKS followed by" And thanks for taking the time to talk to me.. WOW .. hereally got me thinking then!

How many people are out there and we don't even say HELLO!

BUMP IT UP!

A million times we'll need you,
 A million times we'll cry.
If love alone could have saved you, You never would have died.
 In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place, No one else will fill.
 It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone.
Part of us went with you, They day God called you home!

Thanks for being a BUMPER Rainelle! You are one sweet soul Myslf and all the others will miss!
BUMP IT UP!

Billy

Sometimes in life we do something for somebody.. as we BUMPERS say we BUMP IT UP! and the funny thing is..... WE ARE THE ONES GETTING BUMPED!!!! The other day I was in a Pikes Nursery store here in Atlanta and their Christmas items were 75% off. An older lady,(sorry mom), about 70 asked me if i saw a price tag on her soon to be purchase. I looked under the mistletoe tree and saw the price of $95. i told her with the sale it would be about $20 with tax. she commented, "That seems like a pretty good deal!" I say , "Yes it is!" and we got in line. Since I was before her I slipped the cashier a $20 bill and told her to tell the woman " MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Before i could make my getaway in my bump mobile the lady caught me and with tears in her eyes said that was the sweetest thing a stranger had ever done for her! Wow!!! And I thought I was the one surprising her!

I hope I never get to old in life to be surprised and boy if ONLY $20 could make everone in the world happy. Well....on this day it actually made two people HAPPY! A little old lady at Pikes and ME!

BUMP IT UP!

 As THE BUMP EXPERIMENT starts 2010 a BIG THANK YOU once again who helped 2009 an incredible year! The Bump Experiment has been viewed by over a million people  expressing their support and spreading the message and mission of the bumpexperiment. It is a very simple mission statement. " If you are ever in the position to do something for someone be it of your time or money do it without  expecting anything in return." Thanks for all the stories your share thru your emails. Please feel free to share your stories on the YOUR STORIES link.

As the new year starts let's hope more and more people realize ALL the good things going on in the world and that there are far more good things going on in the world than bad. Thanks for BUMPING IT UP! 

Hers's to a great 2010! ahead I hope for everyone!