General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHomelessness isn't just physical.
There's a great thread by Hunter up right now talking about shoplifting. In the comments, a few wonderful people told about their experiences with poverty, and how they have helped others. And it made me think.
This morning I was on my way to work when I stopped to get a cup of coffee (doing 2 eight hour shifts after 4 and a half hours of sleep, two days in a row, reallyyyyy makes you need some). As I turned my bike around, a homeless guy came up and asked if I could get him some food.
Well, I didn't have a lot of time. So I told him to come over to the shop. He picked out something, and I told him to grab another. He asked for a cup of coffee, and he got one. And he was appreciative, and I'm glad I did it.
But that's not the point of this. While we were waiting, we chatted a bit about ISIS, the weather, and a couple other things. After we got the coffee, I walked a little ways, and we talked for a few more minutes before I had to leave. He said thanks for the food, but even more, thanks for the conversation. It'd been weeks since someone did more than just buy him food.
Homelessness is so, so much more than just beng without a home and living in poverty. Too often, it is a loss of both self-respect and being respected. When you're treated like nothing, you become nothing.
When we donate to food pantries, we have to remember why and who we're doing it for. When we give someone money, we should take the time to talk a little with the person on the side of the street. Recognize their humanity. Because money helps, but it doesn't touch the worst parts.
On of the most rewarding things I do is wandering around at night. People are willing to open up. I've learned more sharing a bit of water, cheese, and crackers than I have after $40+ grand in tuition payments. You will never regret taking the time to show a little love for someone.
Thanks to all of you who do.
Response to F4lconF16 (Original post)
LiberalElite This message was self-deleted by its author.
Ilsa
(61,695 posts)Treat one another as such: kindness, compassion, respect, attention to needs. Good on you for taking the time to visit with people. I have a friend who does prison ministry.
LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)what I'm posting seems to be "tooting my own horn" which goes against my upbringing and as such I have never mentioned this to anyone so, here goes -
At that time I lived in the uber affluent Upper East Side of NYC. (I was not then one of the affluent. Hell, I'm still not.) There was a man who I saw around the neighborhood who would just stand stock still - maybe he suffered from catatonia? Whatever. This particular day I was headed to see my relatives in NJ. On my way to the subway I saw him again - standing stiff like a statue. So, I thought: I'm off to a nice Thanksgiving weekend and this person is, as usual, totally ignored. I went to a deli and purchased a few items, like soup, milk, fruit - not a lot of stuff - it all fit into a regular brown paper bag. I then left this bag of food at this guy's feet and walked away. I turned around after about half a block and saw him eating ravenously.
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)Thanks for posting!!!
davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)It is a humbling thing to consider - at times, that... you know, it could easily be any one of us. One of the (few) constants of this crazy world is that "shit happens". Any one of us could go broke, be forced into homelessness, hunger. What I hope for is that, should it ever happen to me (it nearly did once, I avoided it by the skin of my teeth - the homelessness part, anyway) should I ever be forced to live on the streets and be in need of compassion.. I would hope to meet more like you, and less like, say, Donald Trump, or a compassionate christian conservative who tells me to get a job.
I don't do as much as I wish I could, my little contributions over the last few years have primarily been pitching in a few bucks when people were short at the store I worked at, or buying things for them a few times. I have a hard time trusting most established charities and prefer to do what I can in person, face to face. Unfortunately I live in the middle of no where and the nearest soup kitchen is thirty miles away - I don't earn enough to drive into town and pitch in every day.
It never really occurred to me though, that conversation, that that little bit of humanity may be just as important.
A great post... you are absolutely right. Should the opportunity arise, I will try to follow your example.
Hatchling
(2,323 posts)even if you get off the streets it never feels the same. You are never going to feel secure again. And always going to feel just a little less of a person than you once were.
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)"Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love to me
Give a little bit
Ill give a little bit of my love to you
There's so much that we need to share
So send a smile and show that you care
I'll give a little bit
I'll give a little bit of my life for you
So give a little bit
Give a little bit of your time to me
See the man with the lonely eyes
Take his hand, you'll be so surprised ..."
I meant to come back to this thread and post this song and never got to it
Today we encountered a man on the streets walking between four lanes of traffic at a light looking for money. It was not long before I saw he had both legs amputated and above the knees and fortunately ??? had prosthetics. I thought he was most likely a vet and looked for my wallet ... my son sitting in the back seat read his sign 'homeless vet ...'
This is not the treatment our vets deserve. My father, who was a marine in WW II, would be so enraged seeing how we treat people who have given so much. Later on in life he realized that war was more of a racket and offered to help my male cousins avoid the Vietnam war if they wanted to, he was very patriotic and compassionate, but not stupid.
Give a little bit
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)F4lconF16
(3,747 posts)Maybe after a week threads are considered old and aren't kicked to the top?
Thanks for the post and the song, they are a welcome addition to this thread. Good to hear that music...
slipslidingaway
(21,210 posts)well at least you got a notification and thanks for responding and thank you for the thread!!!