Before leaving, Margaret gave me Larry’s last instruction. He had asked that I return to the coffee kiosk where we first became friends. There was someone he wanted me to meet. The following morning, I bought two coffees, one with cream and one black. When I arrived, an elderly man was sitting near Larry’s usual spot. He introduced himself as Thomas, explaining that Larry had visited him regularly during his final months. Thomas had also experienced homelessness and loneliness. Larry had encouraged him to keep going, even when life seemed impossible. Then Thomas handed me a small folded note.<\/p>\n
I recognized Larry’s handwriting immediately. It contained just a few sentences: \u201cSarah, if you’re reading this, please don’t spend your life mourning what you couldn’t change. There are still people sitting alone, waiting for somebody to notice them. I hope you give them the kindness you gave me.\u201d I looked at Thomas, then toward the empty place where Larry once sat. Suddenly, I understood his final request. He wasn’t asking me to remember his death. He was asking me to continue the kindness that had once changed both our lives. I sat beside Thomas and offered him his coffee.<\/p>\n
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