Full

I ate lasagna and drank sweet tea last night with a former middle-weight boxer named Anthony and an ex-marine – with scars to prove it – named Bill.  We swapped stories about high school.  We talked about music we loved and resolutions we’ve made.  Then I played some tunes and told some stories. 

Before turning in for the night, we thanked God for the good food, good company and for waking up to warmer weather than usual – me, because it meant my kids and I could play outside; them, because they don’t have homes to keep them warm.

For the fifth year in a row I hung out for a night with the homeless guys participating in Nashville’s Room In The Inn program.  (They could always use more help, by the way.)

And I was once again mistaken for a homeless guy by the volunteers introducing themselves to the “guests.” “I haven’t seen you here before, you must be new.  What’s your name?”

“Shaun,” I said, hiding my sometimes recognizable spikes under a weathered orange baseball hat.

“Shaun, it’s good to have you as our guest,” the woman smiled.  “Is there anything we can do for you?”

“Yes, ma’am.  Anthony and I would like some more sweet tea…What’s your name tag say?…Bonny.  Please, Bonny. Thank you.”

We all left full. 

Thanks, Bonny, and everyone at Room In The Inn sights across Nashville.