Down and Out

On Sunday night we had someone turn up to our event who was a carer with a severely disabled autistic young man.  They needed to park as close as possible to the venue and the disabled lad would make noises throughout the evening.
I found out in talking to the carer that the disabled lad tended to make noises when he was excited.
The thing was it really got me thinking.  Thinking about how easily I gravitate to the well to do, the ones that appear to have it together.
Yet it occurs to me it is the down and outs, the ones so often ignored or even seen as an embarrassment who tend to appreciate most being made a fuss of.  The difference is amazing.  One lot can even unwittingly take it for granted, while the other lot is chuffed. 
I remember reading about a guy who was approached by someone who obviously lived on the streets and had not showered in a long time.  This person was tired and ready for home.  He thought the guy was after money.  The guy who was ready for home reached into his wallet to give him something and the down and out guy said “keep your money.”  He was interested in what was said.  The tired guy wept and hugged the down and out person.  He realized his attitude had been all wrong.
It seems it is all in the way we see people.  Is worth based on affluence or is it based on being human?  Certainly, some are in the position they are due to bad decisions.  Yet I personally feel it is not my roll to judge but to love.  After all the person could so easily be me.
I guess I like to celebrate wins.  I do not always get it right, but I know I learned heaps from what I believe was a right attitude.