“You think you know me.” A note of anguish in his voice made me turn back. I searched his faded, wrinkled face for signs of someone I might have known. His coat, though dirty and torn, had been expensive once. Bitter eyes followed my gaze. “You don’t know me. But this is where you think I’ll tell you my hard luck story, make you feel all charitable.”
Homelessness is a major problem in our world. Not the US alone. My country is poor so the resources to help the homeless is limited. Many suffers from mental health issues that are often ignored. Humanity needs to care more.
Before the lockdown, I would carry gift cards from the local fast food places and would give them to people in need of a meal. Once I am out and about again, I will probably continue doing that. People are people, no matter how poor or rich they are.
A wonderful reminder that we are all people, some have fallen into dire situations. I have spoken to many homeless folks. I believe in acknowledging people we come in close contact eg standing by the door of a store I’m entering. My most long term acquaintance was with a fellow who was laid off from Tim Horton’s. He didn’t live at the homeless camp, he lived in the woods. A baker laid off when Tim’s centralized their bakery and delivered frozen goods to the coffee shops. I would see him at the park, and at the Whatcom Rd,strip mall. We always stopped to chat,he never asked for anything. My husband would give a little of money to help pay for food for his cat. His cat was always on his bicycle in a little box. I have never been homeless ,but I have been poor in my childhood, and in my early adulthood.
I once read an interview that was done with a homeless man and he commented on how people wouldn't even look at him. It made me think a lot about why we turn away and I certainly don't have the answer. But since then, as little a gesture as it seems, whenever I can I always smile and good morning or hi regardless of the appearance of the person. Sometimes they look away but usually they at least smile or mutter hello in response. Honestly, the teenagers are the toughest but even most of them break down and respond. As a result, I've developed a passing acquaintance with a couple of the homeless and what strikes me is that they've never asked me for anything, not for money or food. Nothing. I truly believe they just like being acknowledged. Good story.
I've portrayed so many homeless/houseless people, it's a topic very close to me. A brief conversation with anyone on the fringe can truly make a huge difference. If people pictured them sitting in a third grade classroom with the same hopes and dreams as other kids, they'd treat them differently.
Homelessness is a major problem in our world. Not the US alone. My country is poor so the resources to help the homeless is limited. Many suffers from mental health issues that are often ignored. Humanity needs to care more.
Before the lockdown, I would carry gift cards from the local fast food places and would give them to people in need of a meal. Once I am out and about again, I will probably continue doing that. People are people, no matter how poor or rich they are.
This is a beautiful story.
A wonderful reminder that we are all people, some have fallen into dire situations. I have spoken to many homeless folks. I believe in acknowledging people we come in close contact eg standing by the door of a store I’m entering. My most long term acquaintance was with a fellow who was laid off from Tim Horton’s. He didn’t live at the homeless camp, he lived in the woods. A baker laid off when Tim’s centralized their bakery and delivered frozen goods to the coffee shops. I would see him at the park, and at the Whatcom Rd,strip mall. We always stopped to chat,he never asked for anything. My husband would give a little of money to help pay for food for his cat. His cat was always on his bicycle in a little box. I have never been homeless ,but I have been poor in my childhood, and in my early adulthood.
Beautiful story and reminder that we shouldn’t expect people to “pay” for our kindness, and definitely not by asking them to tell us their story.
Thanks for the reminder of who the homeless really are. I despair about life's vicissitudes.
I once read an interview that was done with a homeless man and he commented on how people wouldn't even look at him. It made me think a lot about why we turn away and I certainly don't have the answer. But since then, as little a gesture as it seems, whenever I can I always smile and good morning or hi regardless of the appearance of the person. Sometimes they look away but usually they at least smile or mutter hello in response. Honestly, the teenagers are the toughest but even most of them break down and respond. As a result, I've developed a passing acquaintance with a couple of the homeless and what strikes me is that they've never asked me for anything, not for money or food. Nothing. I truly believe they just like being acknowledged. Good story.
I've portrayed so many homeless/houseless people, it's a topic very close to me. A brief conversation with anyone on the fringe can truly make a huge difference. If people pictured them sitting in a third grade classroom with the same hopes and dreams as other kids, they'd treat them differently.
An important story and reminder. Thanks for this, Dascha!