looking for bottles, finding more
I can't speak for all of them, but the chronically homeless people I know, I trust. They have a code of honor and ethics that many chronically homed people do not share. I've seen them give their last pair of socks to someone who didn't have any, I've seen them give out bus tickets, change, cigarettes, advice, whatever they might have, to anyone who needs it.
It didn't surprise me a bit when I read about Charles Moore of Detroit. Charles was looking in a trash bin for bottles he could turn in for spare change and found $21K worth of savings bonds. He gathered them up and handed them over to someone who could find the owner. The bond owner's son gave Charles $100 for his honesty, but other people who heard of this thought a larger reward was warranted and gave him more money, clothes, and a job lead. These might not change Charles' life, but I hope that when people hear of his story, they might realize that the homeless are pretty darn generous.
I've found myself embarrassed and chastened by what gracious givers the homeless can be. They give advice, hugs and smiles. And my friend K. used to leave me bottles of chocolate milk and cakes pretty regularly. All of that means so much more when it's coming from someone who doesn't know where their next meal is coming from and who's been sleeping on a concrete slab. Those gifts are given with an unpretentious innocence, a kindness.
There's more. I come home from my Wednesday shift at the shelter with an attitude adjustment, a sense of place in the world and another shot at being thankful for all I've been given in this world. Not only was I born to a decent family who cared about me, made me go to college and kept me fed and dressed. I was also given a large number of second chances and an even larger number of good friends.
I've heard of my homeless friends finding amazing things in dumpsters. Castoffs and trash from those who have too much, or at least more than enough. Unopened jars of peanut butter, clothes, shoes, yarn, fabric, bedding, furniture, metal scraps, money, jewelry, books, magazines. The next time, you're deciding what to do with all your extra stuff, look it over and take it somewhere someone who needs it can find it.
We could start a little mini revolution and just start leaving surprises for the people who are looking for bottles to recycle. Leave a jar of peanut butter and a butter knife by the place you see a homeless person hanging out in your town. Take that pair of shoes that never fit so well to a shelter. Hand one of the homeless people you pass everyday that last good book you read or a soft pillow. At the very least, just look them in the eye, smile and say "hey". They aren't all that different from you, you're just a little luckier.
file under: friends
It didn't surprise me a bit when I read about Charles Moore of Detroit. Charles was looking in a trash bin for bottles he could turn in for spare change and found $21K worth of savings bonds. He gathered them up and handed them over to someone who could find the owner. The bond owner's son gave Charles $100 for his honesty, but other people who heard of this thought a larger reward was warranted and gave him more money, clothes, and a job lead. These might not change Charles' life, but I hope that when people hear of his story, they might realize that the homeless are pretty darn generous.
I've found myself embarrassed and chastened by what gracious givers the homeless can be. They give advice, hugs and smiles. And my friend K. used to leave me bottles of chocolate milk and cakes pretty regularly. All of that means so much more when it's coming from someone who doesn't know where their next meal is coming from and who's been sleeping on a concrete slab. Those gifts are given with an unpretentious innocence, a kindness.
There's more. I come home from my Wednesday shift at the shelter with an attitude adjustment, a sense of place in the world and another shot at being thankful for all I've been given in this world. Not only was I born to a decent family who cared about me, made me go to college and kept me fed and dressed. I was also given a large number of second chances and an even larger number of good friends.
I've heard of my homeless friends finding amazing things in dumpsters. Castoffs and trash from those who have too much, or at least more than enough. Unopened jars of peanut butter, clothes, shoes, yarn, fabric, bedding, furniture, metal scraps, money, jewelry, books, magazines. The next time, you're deciding what to do with all your extra stuff, look it over and take it somewhere someone who needs it can find it.
We could start a little mini revolution and just start leaving surprises for the people who are looking for bottles to recycle. Leave a jar of peanut butter and a butter knife by the place you see a homeless person hanging out in your town. Take that pair of shoes that never fit so well to a shelter. Hand one of the homeless people you pass everyday that last good book you read or a soft pillow. At the very least, just look them in the eye, smile and say "hey". They aren't all that different from you, you're just a little luckier.
file under: friends
Labels: homeless
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