My name is Grady Bryan Selby and, well before the movie (1997
actually), I lived in Arlington, Texas. I had a nice job, decent
apartment, fresh out of the US Army, and had my life on track. I
lived alone, had a dog, had a spare bedroom, and bathroom; so, I
decided one day to test the "trust factor" with, not only myself, but
society in general.
I drove the same way to work everyday and every day, saw the same
man on the same corner, in the same clothes, and holding the same
sign. He was a sight! Head held high, standing defiant to the world
as if saying, "You've taken everything but, you won't take my pride!".
I stopped everyday and gave him a few dollars, something to eat and a
big bottle of water. One Saturday morning, no work just my "test", I
drove to where the man stood and, sure enough, there he was. I
stopped at the light and asked him to meet me at the Burger King 10
feet from where he stood and pulled into the parking lot; he stood
there for a moment, then walked over. At that moment, I noticed the
pronounced limp he had and took the mental picture into account. Over
breakfast, I asked him about his life; he told me that he was an
overseas contractor, came home to find his accounts cleared, his wife
gone (with kids) and no family in the area. He thought of anyone
around that could help him out but, no one came to mind (or would do
so) and, he ended up on the streets with no place to go. I then asked
him if a person was to offer a hand to him, what would he say? His
reply was astonishing; "I really wouldn't say anything, just walk away
probably. Why do you ask?". I told him my name, where I worked, my
background, and everything that was pertinent to the situation then, I
proceeded to lay out my proposition. "I want to give back. I want to
help those who've had life piss on them, turn it's back on them, and
no one ever cares. So, if you will trust me enough, I want to do
something for you.", I said. I asked him to come with me, on blind
faith, and to his credit he did.
We went to the store, you should have seen the looks! It was the
most demeaning thing to have a hundred people looking down on this
man!! I paid for everything he'd need to get cleaned up; razors,
clippers (for his beard), shaving gel, deodorant, tooth care items,
the whole lot. After, we went back to my apartment; I gave him a key
and told him he was staying there until he got on his feet. He got
cleaned up, looked like a new man, and then we went to get his haircut
and new clothes. I am not rich but, had managed to save a few
dollars. Anyhow, I asked him what his strong employment suits were,
and we typed out a resume for his job hunting.
Fast forward 10 years. This homeless man now has a fine 3 bedroom
house, gets to see his kids every weekend, juat came back from the
Bahamas (he got re-married), and when he asked me how I could repay
him, I told him to do the same for someone else. He introduced me to
his wife, and his kids, and I still get tears thinking about the
reaction these people gave me; gratitude for giving their Dad his life
back, for giving her a wonderful husband and, for giving him the
chance no one else would.
My thoughts were then, and are now, if we can trust again and help
those that need it again, just think of the world it would be! Now,
Pay It Forward is International; my hats off to you! You have a
supporter and friend in me!
Sincerely,
Grady Selby
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