Love

It was 8:17 a.m. on May 13th 2014, when love was about to freeze time. I was on the streets of downtown Chicago to meet a hero of mine.

A year prior, I was planning a vacay to my hometown when I came across a YouTube video of Ronald Davis talking about what it was like to be homeless on the streets of Chicago. His transparency was profound. Every time I watched him, I shook my head in awe.

I can't tell you how many times I watched his video over those 12 months. Meeting him became the main purpose of my trip.

Finally, the day came.

I went down to where he hung out, and there he was, shaking his cup of coins. I headed his way but when I got close, I stopped abruptly. My nerves lassoed me tight. I felt like a kid about to get Michael Jordan's autograph, basketball and marker in hand, nervous as hell. Pee, meet pants. I ducked behind a pole, halfway hiding. It felt like every window of the buildings and skyscrapers where the eyes of Chi-Town, staring at me, knowing why I was there, waiting...

I took a deep breath and came out in the open. Now, I was right there with him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Davis."

"Yes?"

"Hi. My name is Jimmy Paychl. I'm from Las Vegas, here on vacation. I came across your YouTube video and wanted to come meet you."

"It's nice to meet you," he stuck out his hand for a shake.

"You too. I just wanted to thank you for being who you are and teaching me more about the person I want to be and how I want to live. I want you to have this." I reached into my right front pocket, pulled out a folded up hundred and handed it to him. "This is for you."

He looked puzzled for a sec, then it hit him.

"Oh, man! You made my day! You just made my day!" He threw his arms around me.

Then it happened...

At that exact moment, the city went silent. The traffic, sirens, horns, people, everything... It just all turned off, like the universe hit the mute button.

As I stood in the middle of downtown Chicago holding him in my arms, I gently said, "I love you."

"I love you too," he mirrored.

A concentrated bliss cascaded over my body as our breaths synchronized. We were a nucleus of love. Saturated in peace. And for those few ticks, that's all life was.

As the sunlight squeezed its way between us, the city spoke again. We looked at each other smiling.

"You made my day," he said again.

"Ronald, you made mine."

And with that, we went our ways.

When I got back to my car, I took the parking meter receipt - stamped with the time and date - off the dash and nestled it in the console like a precious ancient artifact. After I returned to Vegas, I taped it next to my bathroom mirror. When I see that receipt, I see Ronald. I say hello again, and send him my well wishes.

It's a blessing when the universe sprinkles me with an experience that transcends my highest expectation.

Ronald helped me raise my bar. To meet life where I stand with profound humility and compassion, treating every onlooker, as I would like to be treated. Even if it's in passing, and only for a moment.

One Love,

Jimmy