The roses I can see him running to you and the smile on your face the unexpected surprise
Him to say the worst is that he hasn’t written a word in three weeks
Just all of it
I’m not in a place where I can subscribe right now, but I will make a donation
I ran a suit for the homeless for two years with my former friend
I have a great deal of experience with the homeless and the incarcerated
My father included
He died homeless, a very sad story I didn’t get to see him in the end
It was also alcoholic, but unable to help after drying out many times
Yes, they are. Layers of illness packed into one.
I look forward to reading more of your work
By the way, my first yoga teacher was 60 years old and she suspended on her head for 20 minutes every morning. Eventually, I was able to join her. I was ages younger.
I have a bit of experience with homeless folks in Austin, TX. I work downtown, ride my bike to and from work when the weather cooperates, and have run into the same folks sometimes for years. My husband and I befriend and help out those we're able to. My favorite surprise was a gentlemen who lived on the streets in a quiet neighborhood in downtown Austin, lots of historic homes, and my office building was there. I was there early every day and would see him from time to time. I introduced myself, he did the same. Turns out he read and studied Hebrew in his younger days (he was around 70 when I met him), was an avid reader, loved Fig Newtons, and was happy with his current housing condition. He had a girlfriend, his mom was still alive and would visit him on his birthday and take him out for lunch. Whenever I would give him something to eat or wear, he would always ask me if I minded if he shared with his girlfriend and his friends. He figured out how to live down there, and it worked for him. There are others I've met and helped that deteriorated quickly with drugs and alcohol. I learned how things work downtown from a landscaper friend who hired homeless guys to work for him. The challenge there was that if the men wanted a bed in one of the shelters for a night, they had to be at the shelter at 5, which cut their work day short, and that didn't work for the landscaper. He said the best thing he could recommend, is always look them in the eye and say hello, based on what his hired men told him. I think that's good advice, too.
Ann, what a wonderful story you shared about the homeless writer. As for the unsubscribes, I have a theory. I think these people are hostile to their fellow citizens sleeping rough or in cars, for all the reasons you mention. In my experience, people don’t unsubscribe when reminded that paying for a subscription is an option, if they’re so inclined and have the means. If the money is going to a charity, they may reserve the right to judge the cause, and by extension, the one raising the money.
It may be even more complicated. I have a good friend, Italian, who said if the money went to me, she would have paid in an instant. But knowing it went to a particular group in London made her question why she should give to them in London and why not in Italy – and then she started to feel guilty about not giving in either place and almost unsubscribed to avoid the guilt! Of course, I told her not to worry about it and she still reads, but since most readers are not English, it may be a common thought. We human beings can be very convoluted.
I recently retired from nearly 20 years of pastoral ministry to the homeless, working out of a shelter in a large N. American city. The thing that always struck me was the beauty in, and of, each person. Each had a story. Each were once small with dreams not much different from mine. The “lines” that divided us were often very thin. It took immense grace, resilience and bravery to meet their days: much more than is required of many of us.
One time, close to Christmas, I walked out of the shelter to cross the street to the post office. It should have taken no more than 10 minutes but it was twice that for all the times I was stopped, greeted and hugged happy holiday wishes.
That evening, as I waited in a small knot of people for an elevator to reach my apartment in what was considered a “luxury” condo, no one said a word to one another. Then I remembered when you have nothing, you give yourself.
A very moving post. I can see why you wanted to share those other quotes - they put it all beautifully. And then your own experience. Lovely.
It is so easy to look down on people, but if you stop and think for any length of time about how one small change in your own circumstances could put you in that same bucket - ill health of you or a loved one being a most obvious starting point - then it helps find more compassion.
I have a dear friend who used to be a nun who deliberately chats to the down and out who hang around the shopping centre at our nearest decent-sized town and the stories she shares! We feel awkward talking to troubled souls, but we can learn a lot from them if we try. Sigh…
Thanks, Beth. Yes, the podcast (which was made in 2019) somehow popped into my feed (don't know why) and I was really affected by it. Val McDermid not only agreed to my using it but also spoke well of the finished product (which I sent as a courtesy in the last week). I was chuffed! It just takes a relationship with one person to change one's views – and mine was the writer with the roses.
What staggering statistics in the 6th richest country in the world! We have to change the system and our collective way of thinking about people in need.
It's probably considered shameful everywhere, although I agree it shouldn't be. And one of the wonderful things about getting older is that you don't give a damn about what other people think - it's wonderfully freeing. I write about that a lot (I am 82 so I know of what I speak.). See, for instance, my post called "My future is all behind me" or, indeed, my book with the same title as my Substack.
Thanks, Cherry, for the restack.
Hi Ann, what a beautiful heartwarming story
The roses I can see him running to you and the smile on your face the unexpected surprise
Him to say the worst is that he hasn’t written a word in three weeks
Just all of it
I’m not in a place where I can subscribe right now, but I will make a donation
I ran a suit for the homeless for two years with my former friend
I have a great deal of experience with the homeless and the incarcerated
My father included
He died homeless, a very sad story I didn’t get to see him in the end
It was also alcoholic, but unable to help after drying out many times
Yes, they are. Layers of illness packed into one.
I look forward to reading more of your work
By the way, my first yoga teacher was 60 years old and she suspended on her head for 20 minutes every morning. Eventually, I was able to join her. I was ages younger.
I think about her a lot now I’m 67
Beautiful
I have a bit of experience with homeless folks in Austin, TX. I work downtown, ride my bike to and from work when the weather cooperates, and have run into the same folks sometimes for years. My husband and I befriend and help out those we're able to. My favorite surprise was a gentlemen who lived on the streets in a quiet neighborhood in downtown Austin, lots of historic homes, and my office building was there. I was there early every day and would see him from time to time. I introduced myself, he did the same. Turns out he read and studied Hebrew in his younger days (he was around 70 when I met him), was an avid reader, loved Fig Newtons, and was happy with his current housing condition. He had a girlfriend, his mom was still alive and would visit him on his birthday and take him out for lunch. Whenever I would give him something to eat or wear, he would always ask me if I minded if he shared with his girlfriend and his friends. He figured out how to live down there, and it worked for him. There are others I've met and helped that deteriorated quickly with drugs and alcohol. I learned how things work downtown from a landscaper friend who hired homeless guys to work for him. The challenge there was that if the men wanted a bed in one of the shelters for a night, they had to be at the shelter at 5, which cut their work day short, and that didn't work for the landscaper. He said the best thing he could recommend, is always look them in the eye and say hello, based on what his hired men told him. I think that's good advice, too.
Thank you for helping to make homeless people seem like a set of very individual individuals. It all helps.
Ann, what a wonderful story you shared about the homeless writer. As for the unsubscribes, I have a theory. I think these people are hostile to their fellow citizens sleeping rough or in cars, for all the reasons you mention. In my experience, people don’t unsubscribe when reminded that paying for a subscription is an option, if they’re so inclined and have the means. If the money is going to a charity, they may reserve the right to judge the cause, and by extension, the one raising the money.
It may be even more complicated. I have a good friend, Italian, who said if the money went to me, she would have paid in an instant. But knowing it went to a particular group in London made her question why she should give to them in London and why not in Italy – and then she started to feel guilty about not giving in either place and almost unsubscribed to avoid the guilt! Of course, I told her not to worry about it and she still reads, but since most readers are not English, it may be a common thought. We human beings can be very convoluted.
I recently retired from nearly 20 years of pastoral ministry to the homeless, working out of a shelter in a large N. American city. The thing that always struck me was the beauty in, and of, each person. Each had a story. Each were once small with dreams not much different from mine. The “lines” that divided us were often very thin. It took immense grace, resilience and bravery to meet their days: much more than is required of many of us.
One time, close to Christmas, I walked out of the shelter to cross the street to the post office. It should have taken no more than 10 minutes but it was twice that for all the times I was stopped, greeted and hugged happy holiday wishes.
That evening, as I waited in a small knot of people for an elevator to reach my apartment in what was considered a “luxury” condo, no one said a word to one another. Then I remembered when you have nothing, you give yourself.
Beautiful
What a lovely comment. It certainly rings true. Thank you.
Fantastic post!
thanks so much
A very moving post. I can see why you wanted to share those other quotes - they put it all beautifully. And then your own experience. Lovely.
It is so easy to look down on people, but if you stop and think for any length of time about how one small change in your own circumstances could put you in that same bucket - ill health of you or a loved one being a most obvious starting point - then it helps find more compassion.
I have a dear friend who used to be a nun who deliberately chats to the down and out who hang around the shopping centre at our nearest decent-sized town and the stories she shares! We feel awkward talking to troubled souls, but we can learn a lot from them if we try. Sigh…
Thanks so much. All the best.
Thanks, Beth. Yes, the podcast (which was made in 2019) somehow popped into my feed (don't know why) and I was really affected by it. Val McDermid not only agreed to my using it but also spoke well of the finished product (which I sent as a courtesy in the last week). I was chuffed! It just takes a relationship with one person to change one's views – and mine was the writer with the roses.
What a wonderful thing you're doing, Ann.
In rich western countries, homelessness is inexcusable. We need systems change.
Thanks, Diana. There are so many good causes but this is certainly one of them. And I agree about system change.
What staggering statistics in the 6th richest country in the world! We have to change the system and our collective way of thinking about people in need.
Yes, aren't they? Val McDermid does a good job of bringing it home.
I have heard such stories, but never knew anyone in that situation. Thank you so much for writing about it here.
It's probably considered shameful everywhere, although I agree it shouldn't be. And one of the wonderful things about getting older is that you don't give a damn about what other people think - it's wonderfully freeing. I write about that a lot (I am 82 so I know of what I speak.). See, for instance, my post called "My future is all behind me" or, indeed, my book with the same title as my Substack.