This is my submission for task #4 of the writing challenge run by @steemfluencer.
When Service Is Just What You Do
It was nothing new for him. Just another day in the life, but the man visiting town was astounded by what was being accomplished by Hristo.
See, the visitor was a journalist touring Bulgaria and he didn't seek out Hristo, he just happened to stumble upon him after staying a night in Ledenik Village. Really, he sought him out after hearing of what sounded like a legend. The legend of a man that kept people of the village from being homeless.
The journalist needed to see this for himself, so that morning set out to find Hristo.
He walked around the village to finally find him at a neighborhood park collecting and picking up all the recyclable materials. He walked up to him with an extended hand and said "Hi, my name is John. I'm guessing you are Hristo?"
Hristo nodded and asked "how are you?"
After talking for a few minutes Hristo agreed to let John follow him around for the day, as long as he pitched in with a helping hand. John gladly agreed.
An hour later they finished up at the park and rode to the recycling facility to have the materials processed. After that was done they headed to Hristo's house, which is an old veterinary clinic they turned into a home.
It was time for lunch. Hristo jumped into the kitchens with two of his kids to prepare a meal for the household. John watched as they buzzed around the kitchen and then some others set the table.
He was unsure who was who and waited to meet them formally.
When they all sat at the table Hristo introduced John to each individual. Many of them were ophrans that Hristo took in.
Their home was meager at best and Hristo drove a beat up old pickup truck, yet he took in all of these people and asked for nothing in return outside of help maintaining the household and working toward a way to improve their own lives.
It also meant Hristo himself was sacrificing financially to do this.
John was astounded by his selflessness and being from America, where vanity is held high at times, he felt this man deserved to be honored.
Following lunch he rode with Hristo to a construction site to gather recyclables. John asked if he could feature Hristo in hos story covering the happening of Bulgaria.
Hristo's response surprised him when he simply said "I don't know that I am worthy of a news story, I'm just a simple man helping some people. It's just always what I've done.
It was at that moment John realized how special of a man Hristo really was.
His selfless service to people in need within his community was not an act of charity or goodwill. It was simply normal life to him.
John then wished this normal was the norm for the majority of people in the world.
Regards,
Mitchell J