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On Wednesday, I returned to the corner where I took this picture the day before. I printed it off at home and brought it with me to work to give to the man on the street corner at lunchtime. I had no idea if he was going to be there again, but there he was.
I promised I would bring the photo, but since we couldn’t communicate in English I didn’t think he would be expecting me to return. Yep, he was surprised all right! He had the biggest smile on his face and gave me the thumbs up. I loved the way his face wrinkled like a paper bag; he reminded me of the old men in my family. I would’ve taken a picture of his reaction, but I was too busy shaking his hand. I thought, ‘That’s enough.’
Then he reached into his pocket and took out a small plastic baggie. He pulled out this little Buddha and gave it to me.
I was so touched! I surprised him, and he surprised me.
