Putting yourself out there

When exactly do we stop putting ourselves out there?  Connecting with others, making new friends?  I seem to have missed the gene that pulls the plug on the childlike faith in humankind.  I recklessly put myself out there to meet new people, engage in conversation with strangers who could end up being friends.  I have many times been told, you are to trusting, you better be careful talking to people, one of these day's you will come across a crazy.  I don't know if God just made me defective like that or if my hope and optimism in my fellow humans is just different.  Here is why I write this.

  I saw a young man holding a cardboard sign saying DEAF and HOMELESS please help.  I thought about him all that day, wondering if he was really deaf or just using that as a hook to get people to give him money. I went back the next day and found him again.  I parked my car and got out .
 I signed You Deaf?  he nodded and pointed at me You Deaf?
 I shook my head and signed I want to learn Sign Language, you want to teach me?
He nodded and signed yeah, now?
No, here is my business card, can you come to my office Monday morning?
Yes, what time
9
OK, thank you.
Thank you.


I got in my car and drove away.  I felt exhilarated, a chance for a win/win situation. He needed a job and I needed a tutor.  I came home to tell my family and was met with laughter and mockery.
"I bet he told his friends he met this tall beautiful woman while he was out hustling"  hahaha
"Why are you propositioning men on the street" hahaha
"He is homeless, he wont show"
"Why do you do these things, you gave him your card, he could be dangerous?"

It gnawed at me all night.  I played along and assured them it did not go down like that, no propositioning him, he was not a creepy homeless man who was talking to himself with a shopping cart.  This was a kid, 20 maybe who needs a chance.  I felt like kicking myself for even bringing it up.  I should just keep these things to myself and tell people after they are successful.  I give up trying to make myself fit into the mold of this world.  I will just have to trust God and ignore the haters.

I will post again if he shows up on Monday.