a homeless man

[Bertha Venation]

I write this to relate an experience. Believe me when I say I no more seek accolades than you would in the same situation.

There's a CVS in the ground floor of the building I work in. I go there frequently. Today's trip was for Coke Zero. Outside the store, as he has been several times in the last few weeks, was Eli, hawking the Street Sense newspaper (by and for DC's homeless). When I see him, I give him a little cash and a Snickers. He is always very grateful.

I always try to ask Eli a question. Today I asked if he has any good friends. He said "a few. At least they say they're my friends." I asked if he thinks any of them really are. He said "a few of them, yes." I asked him where he stays. He stays with a friend. I was glad to hear that. He's one of the lucky ones. I figured he might've been in a shelter, but I knew he wasn't on the street by his appearance and his lack of baggage.

Today, Eli hugged me and said to me, "I love you, sister. Thank you so much. God bless you." I didn't know what to say.

If I weren't an atheist, I'd ask for your prayers for Eli. Instead I ask for your good thoughts and vibes.* He said to me "I'm getting there," which I took to mean he's making progress in his way out of homelessness. I know that he could use some strong cosmic support.

* If you yourself are religious, by all means, offer a prayer. IMO it is the same as good thoughts and vibes.

[Heidi]

1. I bet Eli looks forward to seeing you.

Homeless or not, a kind word and some genuine interest in our lives means a lot. I will think good thoughts for Eli's protection.

Good to see you, sweet gf.

[Bertha Venation]

4. heh.... cross post

[datasuspect]

23. beautiful soul

hey you!

[Heidi]

28. Yes,

you have one, most definitely.

Hey, yourself and, if I may be so bold:

[In_The_Wind]

2. done

[Earth_First]

3. ...and right there, Eli gained another friend.

[talkingmime]

5. I usually buy a sandwich or sub and hand it to them. They need it.

I've taken them into delis with me so they could order their own. I'm not rich, actually below the poverty line for that matter, but I have more than someone living on the street. I'm not religious at all but I know what's right and how people should be treated. It's a moral obligation, and for that matter, one that Jesus taught and most so-called Christians I know can't comprehend.

A few months ago there was a woman with a baby holding a simple sign. I forget exactly what it said, but it was something to the effect of "I have a family to feed."

I was down to my last two hundred in the bank account but I gave her a twenty before I headed into the hardware store for a couple of key rings (for cat collar tags, less than a dollar). She was obviously thanking me, but it was in a dialect of Spanish I'm not particularly familiar with. It was similar enough to what I know that I still understood and it was obvious she was appreciative. You can make a week's worth of meals on $20 if you know how. I do.

When I came back out, a cop was giving her shit for begging. She wasn't begging, and certainly not overtly, and she kept saying she couldn't understand him . He couldn't understand her either (I did). I got directly in the cop's face and loudly bitched him out in front of a lot of people. I was seriously pissed off and willing to get arrested for it. When I got home I called the chief and filed a formal complaint about his conduct.

I understood her well enough to know she was sincere in her request for help and frightened by the cop. While I distracted the cop, she quietly slipped away. The cop was NOT pleased with me and I don't care at all. I did the right thing and would do it again without reservation. I hope she's doing well and if I see her again I'll slip her another $20.

I don't know Eli, but tell him I love him just because he is who he is. We can't even take care of our own kind, much less the rest of the creatures on Earth. It's a moral obligation, god or no god. We can at least start with our own. Buy him a sandwich for me. I'll pay you for it. Seriously.

[Bertha Venation]

9. that's what I'm talking about, mime

Imagine if you had not been there. With that cop unable to speak Spanish, the cop's inability to understand could have led to disaster for that woman. If you had not come back... it's unthinkable.

I appreciate your having even a little Spanish. Mine is limited to greetings. I couldn't have helped in your situation. Fortunately, the homeless I invariably counter have English as their native language.

I won't get on a soapbox on this subject. Tha best I can do is buy a meal or offer lunch. Next time I see Eli, I will invite him over to Potbelly for a hot sub and the chips, coke, cookies and shake of his choice. (Fortunately he would not be kicked out of the sandwich shop; he is clean. Shame on a city that can't embrace all of its citizens.)

[talkingmime]

18. Oh, I don't SPEAK Spanish - I can just understand a lot of it. The cop didn't try.

By the way, the police chief said I wasn't the only one to complain about the cop's behavior. He was completely out of line. If he'd have tried to arrest her with that child clutched to her chest I think there might just have been a riot in our quiet little plaza. I was the spokesman, but it was clear that I had backup and he knew it.

My youngest is in her fifth or sixth year of Spanish in high school (forget which). She's in the most advanced class available - every other student in the class is a native Spanish speaker. She's just at the same level they are and the class is designed for those who are already fluent just like an AP English class is.

I've never had a class in it, just picked it up from her and the environment. I usually understand it as spoken and she'll go all day sometimes speaking nothing else. I'd like to be able to speak it, but for some reason my mouth just doesn't do the right things to form the sounds. My daughter thinks it is hilarious when I try.

My spoken German isn't all that great, but better than Spanish. Russian and Korean are easy for me to pronounce somehow. I can't hear or speak French despite taking two years of it. I can still read it and usually understand the written word, but babble at me in it and I'm clueless. They had a lot of fun with me in Montreal. I knew damn well they knew English, but they'd use French just to mess with me.

Like it or not, large portions of this country are already bilingual and it would be fair to say multilingual. The "English only" people are completely out of touch with reality.

And it's not just a city to shame, it's our entire country. We don't even take care of our war veterans, many of whom are homeless. There's no excuse for leaving people on the street. If our tax system was fair, there would be more than enough money to feed and house every single one of them. But hey, we have to make cuts somewhere, right?

I'm sorry to rant, but it just pisses the hell out of me to live in "the greatest country on Earth" and still see people living in the streets. The absurdity of that is beyond words.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

15. I have emptied drawers of warm

clothing and had to buy more, to give to the homeless when we've had cold fronts move in. Last winter we had several. This winter it was much warmer and only one was actually cold. I have several thermos here I keep only to serve them hot coffee during those cold fronts...They protect them like treasures until I return for the empties. When I see homeless people, I become so ashamed of this country, so ashamed to be an American. I've lived here 16 months, not once has one ever presumed to ask for anything or been anything but polite, yet I've had to stop the police from driving them off because they called out a greeting to me. It's heartbreaking.

[talkingmime]

20. I got really lucky a few winters back. K-Mart had a clearance on quilted flannel shirts!

These were the really good ones with thick flannel and heavy quilting. There's a shelter for homeless men downtown. I called and they said "large sizes". The shirts were between $1 and $2 EACH! I basically cleared out the rack. I kept one of the mediums for me but took the rest down to the shelter, probably thirty or so shirts. I forget. The men came out to carry in the bounty and I could just tell by the looks on their faces that they were thrilled.

I love the thermos idea. I don't get out much anymore but that's one I'm going to keep in mind. They aren't expensive and highly reusable. It really doesn't make sense that the cops are so aggressive toward the homeless. They're a built in neighborhood watch force. If anything, the cops should be bringing them coffee and doughnuts!!!

But yes, it is heartbreaking and shameful. I lived a rather sheltered youth and didn't understand the concept of homelessness until I got out on my own and saw it first hand. That seriously changed who I was. People are dismissive of them and I've heard a lot of people claim they're just out begging to scam money. I'm sorry. If you're desperate enough to beg when it is 20 degrees outside, you aren't out there to scam money. You need it.

One of the local shelters for women (who we also help out) only has 24 rooms and they are regularly subjected to gun fire (presumably from the men the women are running from). They want bullet-resistant glass. If I could afford it, I'd get them full bullet-proof glass. These women have nowhere else to go.

Unfortunately, I'm not rich. My bills are backed up and paid in order of priority (like keeping the gas flowing and the lights and water on). But I'm far better off than the homeless. I've got a roof. I do what I can within my limitations but I would love to be a multi-billionaire just so I could feed and clothe people and fund the institutions that give them a warm and safe place to sleep.

I really don't need much for myself. Maybe a couple of effects pedals for my guitar if I had the money to buy them. I'm doing okay on very little income. They aren't. I've got to spend $411 on Friday to get the windshield replaced on my wife's 20 year old car. It's a minor expense compared to car payments for a new car. That's more than half of what I have in the bank right now but the crack is the kind that is going to expand and could shatter at high speed. I can't risk that.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

21. Talkingmime,

You and your wife are truly wonderful people.

I have sufficient to my needs and for most of my wants...they are much more limited at my age. But I do not have the type of money that could purchase bullet proof glass... Like you, I wish I did!

The women twist at my heart most of all. There are only two who appear regularly at the square. I've been told that the police ran the 'prostitutes' out of the square several years ago. Last year when I brought the first thermoses of coffee the woman who was there would not look at me, or accept the coffee. It was as though she was too embarrassed or had seen too much criticism in the faces of those good christian women to whom you referred earlier. I poured for the men and went back to her, she was sitting a bit off from them. I touched her shoulder and said, 'Please, I know you must be cold...I will be so worried if you won't drink something to warm you.' I must have gotten through...she nodded yes and took the styrofoam cup I offered, then allowed me to fill it...but she never looked up at me. It took several more meetings before she would look at me and many, many before she would look me in the eye.

I hate the hypocrisy that outlaws prostitution and leaves these women feeling worthless... and totally unprotected...as if generations of good christian women haven't been trading sexual favors to get what they wanted from their husbands...it sickens me.

Being in FL, and after this warm winter, I was able to pick up 30 fleece hoodies and several sweatshirts, very cheaply, to put aside for next winter. I was delighted!

[talkingmime]

22. I've noticed that a lot of homeless people won't look up. Shame?

I have to admit that if I was in that circumstance I'd be embarassed to make eye contact. They're no less human because of their situation, but I can put myself in that place and understand.

The fleece hoodies sound GREAT! The other thing to look for is thermal blankets (the camping style mylar ones in a package about the size of pocket Kleenex). Sometimes the Dollar Tree has them. They also usually have a two-pack of plastic rain ponchos. I pick those up when I see them. Between the two you can stay warm and dry for a really long time. I also keep them in the cars for emergencies.

Beach towels usually go on sale in September. They have a thick weave and are almost large enough to be a blanket.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

24. Rain Ponchos!

I've never thought of those! The blankets get my men run out of the square! But the rain ponchos can be used rain or shine.... The winter rain can be chilling as well. There is an area on the square where they can seek shelter from the rain, but a poncho would serve so much better! Until I moved here, I had never given anything more than money or the occasional sandwich...when I lived in NJ, and we went into NYC for an evening, I would pack up sandwiches to give to the homeless along with a few bucks. The ex thought I was nuts, but never objected.

When I walked Ernie that first cold morning last winter I was alarmed by the number of men shivering as they walked back and forth in an effort to get warm. When he was done with his business, and it was much too cold for our usual walk, I went home and grabbed a bunch of warm things that had belonged to my late SO. I never knew why I had l kept them in the first place...but that morning I was very happy I had. He was a big man, so they were perfectly sized to be worn over other layers. That began the relationships I've formed with several of the men who are long term homeless. One had been MIA for months until about 3 weeks ago. I was so happy to see him...he came running up, and told me his wife had taken him back! Then asked if my son had found a job yet...(Jordan was a recent law school graduate and it took 8 months to find employment) when I said yes, I'm sorry I hadn't told you before...he offered up a prayer of thanks to whichever god he believes in. I've often thought of him as my Sikh friend.

Thank you so very much for sharing rain ponchos...it is brilliant!

[talkingmime]

25. They're also inexpensive. You can get sunglasses at the Dollar Tree too.

Believe it or not they help. Most cities are cluttered with all-glass buildings and the sun can be brutal. They're not the best sunglasses in the world, but they're inexpensive and provide UV protection. I try to put myself into their reality when looking for things to get them. You can also get mesh bags and laundry bags. They're great for keeping things bundled and the laundry bags are waterproof so their stuff will stay dry.

It's nice to meet someone with the same attitude I have on this subject. Why can't we, as a country, just take care of these people? There's no sense in it. None. All Congress does is take care of the wealthiest in the oligarchy.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

26. I agree...why can't we, or worse, won't we?

Excellent ideas...I am bookmarking this thread, so I can refer back to it...I sometimes have the head of a sieve when it comes to details!

It has been a pleasure meeting you well... I believe we once shared a discussion about books...doesn't your wife have thousands of readers? Forgive me, if I have have confused you with someone else. My friends have informed me that I have a very haphazard way of approaching the lounge!

[talkingmime]

27. Yes, she does.

[Aristus]

6. Thank you for that, Bertha.

The homeless lead difficult lives; I see it every day.

And anyone who jibes me with: "Why don't they just go get a job!?" gets a punch in the nose from me...

I'm very protective of my homeless patients...

[Bertha Venation]

10. Keep punching them, Aristus

Then I guess you have to invite them in for treatment . . .

[LeftofObama]

7. Thank you for that, Bertha!

I might be heading to DC later in the spring. If I do, maybe I can look up Eli and buy him some lunch. There are two things I always try to remember: Even though I'm not religious I try to count my blessings every day. And when I'm feeling down and out I remind myself that there is always someone worse off than me.

[Bertha Venation]

11. If you are in DC, let me know, LoO.

I'll see if Eli is around we'll take him to lunch together. If not, let's us have lunch. Let me know. PM me when the time grows near.

Duh. I meant "O", of course.

[LeftofObama]

12. Will do!

I've only been to DC once and that was only for one day. All I got to see was the White House. There's so much I want to see and do.

[Flaxbee]

8. (((hug))) to you, Bertha

Good thoughts and vibes going to Eli.

There was an older homeless woman I used to see on occasion in DC; I'd give her some cash or lunch when I could (I'd see her near the sandwich shop I liked). I HATE seeing the elderly on the streets. Hate seeing anyone, but kids and the elderly just tear me apart.

[MrScorpio]

13. WTG, BV nt

[Sekhmets Daughter]

14. There is small town square less than a block

from my condo...the homeless gather there when the shelter closes in the morning. I walk my dog in and around the square every morning and have come to know several.

I worry when I don't see them for days, and they are so grateful when I ask if they have been alright when they return. I think, for so many of them, there is no one else who asks.

I will send many good thoughts Eli's way. It is so kind of you to care.

[MiddleFingerMom]

16. Vibes going out to Eli -- I was THIS close to that status just a few years back...

.
.
.
... but the intervention of a couple of DU'ers (who preferred/prefer to remain unacknowledged) literally
saved my life. With my health issues, the formerly Fucking Immortal MFM would have quickly become
the dearly departed Fucking Immortal MFM.
.
.
Of this I have not a single solitary doubt.
.
.
.
I'm back on my feet now (a little... hell, a LOT slower), but it was Boot Hill for this cowpoke at that time.
.
.
.


.
.
.

[Bertha Venation]

19. Wow.

I was away for longer than I thought. Damn. I'm glad you're still here. extreme

[840high]

17. I'll happily say a

prayer for him.

[Heidi]

29. Wednesday kick for Eli and everyone else who could use a kind word or act!

(Thank you, sweet K, for reminding us of a big part of what we're here to do in this world.)