The Will of The Heart

Jacobi Oscar Kafer. Courtesy: Ginger Fish

Previously, I posted about a homeless woman in Makati making artworks for P15. Now, I stumbled upon on my Facebook News Feed a post coming from Ginger Fish, an American drummer who was formerly part of Marilyn Manson's band from 1995-2011, and is currently with Rob Zombie.

The post was about his encounter with a homeless man, who, after being thought as someone who tries to ruin his chopper, actually cleaned it instead without him even asking. This selfless act on the part of the homeless man occurred last Thursday, and at this time of writing, there are over 1.1 million likes, almost 300,000 shares, and approximately 60,000 comments, including all replies.

According to Ginger:

This is Jacobi Oscar Kafer. I stopped for coffee & to go the bathroom at a Starbucks in the Venice, CA area, & this gentleman walked up to my cycle today to spray windex on it, & clean it. My first reaction was "Stay away from the bike" then I stopped myself; he looked broken & mentally & physically worn from the sun, so I turned to him and said "Go ahead and clean it, I'm gonna run into Starbucks for coffee, & when I come out I'll give you $10". I've been meaning to clean my bike but I just haven't found the time to do it. The Starbucks was busy & I wondered when I came back out if he would still be there. When I returned, he was working up, down, & all around the bike. 

I've had my bike detailed at my local Harley dealership & it costs around $150 for them to do the same job this gentleman is doing right now for a fifteenth of the cost. I finished my coffee & told him I didn't want to take up anymore of his time today. I reached into my pocket & pulled out all of the spare bills I had that totaled a whopping $36 & handed them to him. I said I wished I had more to give him, & the expression of respect and joy that built up inside of him was immeasurable. As I bent down to unlock my Helmet, and after I had put it on my head, I reached into my saddle bag to organize a few things I was carrying, and as I did this, he starting working feverishly scrubbing my helmet clean right as I knelt there wearing it. I thanked him for a job well done & went on my way. 

I got about a half mile away when I decided to turn around. I found Jacobi in the corner of the parking lot crying with his head held down as tears ran down the bridge of his nose, as if to say I've had enough of the struggle & humiliation today. I asked him if could please take a photo of him with my cycle so I could remember him & this job he has done so well. Again he filled with great joy and gratitude for the little bit of respect I bestowed upon him. He stood proud and strong with an inherent sense of satisfaction & pride for his ability to bring happiness to another person & to contribute to something that brought someone else so much joy today. I was homeless for about a year around 1990 & 1991, so I understand some of what this man has to endure on a day to day basis. 

As I thanked him again & began to exit, more tears started streaming down his face. I said to him "please don't cry" "I have an old friend named Jacobi, & now I have a new friend named Jacobi". I saw my own feelings of self worth and pride shining through Jacobi as if he was my own child. Never take for granted a helping hand. Even if it's from someone whom you truly feel doesn't have a helping hand to give. We are all one.

Ginger Fish

I usually have this habit of doing things on my own, without someone asking me to. Otherwise, I get easily mad.

One good example of which is my hair. Whenever my parents or co-workers say I need to get a haircut, I threaten them to have it shaved bald, which my parents disapprove because they claim being bald for a person with a big head is awkward. In the case of my co-workers, meanwhile, I tell them I'm gonna cut my hair to mohawk, fish cut or undercut, which I actually do not like, of course.

The reason why I have this habit is because I wanna tell them that I am uncomfortable with them telling me things that I must do in order to be a better person, even if they were inconvenient for me to do so. I would rather do their favors on my own schedule and terms wherein they are unaware, so I can surprise them when they are off-guard so they would wear a nice big smile on their faces. The happier they are, the more they appreciate it.

Because I am a person that does not want to be manipulated by other people and use me as a tool for their own schemes. Even if you think of me in a negative light, I still have the willingness to do everything I want (but not those that are bad, of course, don't think stupid). And if God wills it to give me the chance to have a family of my own, I swear to Him that I will teach my kids the willingness to do something without others telling them... the same willingness Jacobi had when he cleaned Ginger's bike.

Wherever you are in California, Jacobi, God bless you.

I, the Pooch, have spoken.