Has my five-year old been playing DOOM?

You be the judge.

So Jen had some errands to run this afternoon and early evening.  This left me playing 'Mr. Mom' with my three savages.

We had a blast.  I don't know why I even bother asking them where they want to eat dinner.  I guess somewhere in my mind I harbor a secret wish that they'll say 'Famous Daves'  or  'The Good Steer'   or   'El Dorado.'    But no.  This question is always met by three voices crying out in unison for yet another trip to the golden arches.

This actually didn't sound too bad to me.  The play place is usually a good place to kill an hour, as long as it's not too crazy.  Someone explain to me why kids feel the need to scream at the top of their lungs as soon as they get in there. 

Anyway, tonight, the play place was closed.  Seems an overly worried and well armed mother took a knife to the netting when her kids' foot got stuck.  Rendered the whole thing 'unsafe.'  Way to go, mom.

So, I did what any self respecting dad would do -  I bought dinner at McDonalds and went to Burger King to use their play place.

Yeah.  I'm grimy like that.

At BK we had the whole place to ourselves, which is a rare treat.  As my kids gave in to the irresistable urge to scream at the top of their lungs, I noticed a guy sitting alone at a booth inside the restaurant. I got the distinct impression that he was homeless.

I had my iphone out and I was keeping busy checking my email and updating my Twitter feed – basically trying hard not to think about what it would be like to have to sleep outside tonight, when I felt very prompted to go and join him at his booth.

I fought this urge for at least 20 minutes.  What would I say? Would it be awkward?  Would I embarrass him?

Whatever.  I knew God wasn't going to leave me alone on this.  I walked over and paused near his table.  He looked up and I asked if I could join him.  Me motioned wordlessly to the seat opposite him.

What's your name?    John.

I coulnd't help noticing your pack.  Are you homeless?        Yes.

Man, I can't even imagine what that must be like in this weather.  

Are you able to sleep indoors?    –Long silence–

I'm sorry man.  I didn't mean to pry.  I know this isn't any of my business.          I sleep outdoors but under something.

OK. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable.  I don't know a lot of homeless people.  I just felt like I was supposed to come over here and say hello.     –Silence–

I'll let you get back to your coffee.  I don't want to ebarrass you at all, but I've got 5 bucks in my wallet that I'd like you to have.             No man, really.  I'm fine. 

I know you are.  But if you don't need it for yourself, I'm sure you know some other homeless people who could use it.                    Actually, I pretty much keep to myself.

Then use it to buy yourself some breakfast tomorrow.  I'm going to get back to my kids now.                OK.  Thank you.

As we left I brought my kids over an introduced them to him.  He seemed to like that.

When we got outside, ours was the only car in the lot.  Once inside, my daughter asks me "Daddy, who was that man?"     Just a guy I met baby.    

Then she asks me where his car is.

Tonight I introduced my daughters (5 and 7) to the word 'homeless.'  I had told them before about how blessed we were and how there were people in the world who didn't have all the things we take for granted, like a warm place to sleep and a hot shower and clean clothes and enough food to eat and a brand new Nintendo Wii.

But tonight was the first time they had a face to attach to the concept.

As I tucked them into bed tonight I was really touched by how sad they were.  We prayed for John. 

I'll be looking for more opportunities to teach my kids to be ever grateful for how God has blessed us.

And I'll try to do some learning myself.

And maybe I'll swing past the Burger King on Middle Country in Centereach again in a day or two and see how he's doing.   If any of you are passing by, he sits in a booth right next to the Play Place.

Saying 'Hello' is the Right Thing.

Out.

I love social networks.  There.  I said it.

Twitter?  Facebook?  Blog?   Love 'em.

Yesterday at 10:30am I posted on my Twitter feed that I needed a good place to take my wife out to dinner.

Twitter feed automatically updates my Facebook status.

I had seven responses before 1:30pm.

Here's my post and the responses.

Much thanks to all who holla'd back.

 Joseph Morin at 10:30am December 29

Please don't say El Dorado

 Heather Meyer at 10:33am December 29

Carnival on 347 & 112

 Tyler Smith at 10:53am December 29

2
places in Port Jeff that opened this year which are pretty good.
Tequila Jacks (which took over for The Elk Street Grill) serves a
Spanish flavaa. and The Fifth Season serves local produce and wines.
Not sure about either one of their Monday Night crowds tho. Lastly,
Buteras in Smithtown. Nuevo Italian and has a Prix Fixed Menu on
mondays for 18.95 5:00-6:00pm. really good service and food.

 Joshua Canaan Liptak at 11:13am December 29

I can vouch for buteras. That place is killer

 Jacquelyn Waldvogel at 12:08pm December 29

Riodizio
http://www.greatrestaurantsmag.com/LI/restaurant_view/381/

You
just sit there while they bring a variety of meats over to you on a
skewer…fresh from the fire pit. Over 15 varieties of meat!
Mouthwatering. Definitely worth the trip. (Sangria there is pretty good
too
Another link: http://www.churrascariariodizio.com/

 Eric Urias at 12:43pm December 29

Burger King. Keep it real.

 George Richards at 1:04pm December 29

Carimia on Echo Ave in Sound Beach its really good

Butera's was the clear winner and it was delicious!!  Tyler even practiced what he preached and Jen and I ran into him there!  

Honorable mentions go to:

Josh Liptak for the Butera's follow-up
Eric Urias for suggesting the mighty BK
Joe Morin for discouraging the attempt at a romantic evening at El Dorado.

All other suggestions will be investigated in due time.

Hey Gang,

Many of you caught Tom's message this Sunday.  If you weren't there, download it.

It was mad good.

In it, he made mention of a video when Penn (of Penn & Teller) talked about a guy who handed him a Bible after one of his shows.

Penn fascinates me. He is about as outspoken an atheist as one can be, but unlike a lot of atheists, this guy has really done his homework and complete absence of faith notwithstanding, he's got a mind like a steel trap.  

Thought you might like to see it.May open up some good discussion too.

Mad props to Matt Summers for locating this.

Peace.