Twelve Dollars By Benedict T. Palen, Jr.

1. Twelve Dollars By Benedict T. Palen, Jr. Ten years ago, an event occurred that left an impression with me that continues through today, and will likely remain with me all the days of my life.

2. Twelve Dollars By Benedict T. Palen, Jr. I was doing some construction work in Florida, and had just arrived at a client’s office in Tampa to sign a large contract on behalf of the company for whom I worked.  As I pulled into their parking lot, a man approached me, and I wondered if he was going to beg for money.  He came over to my truck, and introduced himself, saying that he was a veteran, who had been homeless, and that he had found some temporary accommodations that were hopefully a step towards permanent housing, and asked if I could help him with some money.   While I am a sympathetic person, I do not make it a practice to give money to people who are begging on the street.   I asked him if he used drugs or alcohol, and he said no.

3. Twelve Dollars By Benedict T. Palen, Jr. Something about this guy was different.  He struck me as being sincere, and in need of money.  I thought that he had a genuine need.   So, I looked in my wallet, and I had twelve dollars.  I gave the money to him, and the expression on his face was priceless. He thanked me over and over, and it was clear to me that there was true appreciation for this small amount of help.  If I had had more cash in my wallet at the time, I would have given it to him.

4. Twelve Dollars By Benedict T. Palen, Jr. We talked for a couple more minutes, and then he went on his way, and I went to my meeting.  While I was there to sign a contract worth a few million dollars, that was overshadowed by what took place in that parking lot in Tampa on an October afternoon.   The twelve dollars that I had given to this stranger was repaid to me many times over by the feeling that I had helped another human being who had a true need.   In all the years since, I have never once doubted that I did the right thing, and that it had made a difference in someone’s life. In the years since, I have shared this story with many people, and it has struck me how many are touched by it.  It puts into perspective what really matters in this life.

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