The Singer in the Parking Lot

We don’t usually see a guy singing in the parking lot at our grocery. After all, we live in suburbia, not downtown. But we heard him as we walked from our car toward Aldi’s.

When I saw him, my first thought was he might be a little off. The noon sun had warmed things up that morning, the Monday of Holy Week. You didn’t need a jacket, much less a hat. But that didn’t stop him from wearing a bright yellow toboggan, complete with knit braids hanging down. And the hat had a face, as if someone had tried to weave sunshine into a pull-on beanie. A definite fashion statement.

There he stood, singing and strumming an old guitar. He was good it, both the singing and guitar playing. He treated us to “One Day” – a song popularized by a Jewish reggae artist. The words bounced off the brick building --

All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play

One day (one day), one day (one day), one day
(Oh oh oh)
One day (one day), one day (one day), one day
(Oh oh oh)

And he sang with his heart. Loud enough for the parade of customers with carts to hear him over the noise on Fairview Road.

You have to admire a guy for singing in a parking lot -- guitar case open at his feet, inviting some appreciation.

Debbie said, “Do you want to give him $5?”

“Sure,” I said. I was thinking $1.

Off she went to hand the guy $5 while I loaded grocery bags into the back of our car.

Debbie told him she loved that song. He said God gave him his gift, and he was just trying to spread some sunshine.

By that time, I had joined her.

He said, “People need to find more reasons not to fight.”

We both nodded, told him he was doing a great job, and that we enjoyed his singing.

And when we left him -- sunshine-hat and guitar in the Aldi’s parking lot -- he was still singing his heart out.

It occurred to me that he would have been with Jesus on Palm Sunday. Singing and smiling. Enjoying himself. Hoping for a better world.

Not a bad beginning to Holy Week.