A homeless friend of mine died this morning... [View All]

[Wetzelbill]

This is from my blog. I should also add that he was an Air Force veteran. And also, Obama wrote the Homes For Heroes Act, which was to help homeless veterans get their own place to stay. It's too late for my friend, but I hope Obama and Biden get to work on this right away. It's important. -WB

A homeless friend of mine died this morning....


I know a few homeless people who always hang around the area where I live. Two, in particular, I have known for years. Bill and Tom.

A few months ago I had interviewed Bill for a short documentary I am making. He's a homeless Vietnam vet, and has a gregarious personality. Bill's an interesting, outgoing character. Well he had some health issues and nearly died around that time himself. Bill spent two months in a hospital, and in that time he was able to sober up. It's given him a new lease on life.

Tom was the smaller of the two, a quiet willow of a man, so painfully skinny it was a wonder even a weak wind didn't blow him away. Tom was extremely timid, he relied heavily on Bill to get things done for him. I once had a dream that I killed Tom. That he tried to steal my bike off of my balcony, and as I went to stop him I accidentally knocked him over the railing and he fell down a story and hit the pavement. He lay dying in my arms and asked me to end his suffering so I smothered him to death and said: "You're at peace now, brother."

It was harrowing to me. I jumped out of slumber agitated. It freaked me out. But I knew Tom had a hard life. He was an alcoholic, homeless and living out on the streets. Once my brother Tim saved Tom from freezing to death one night. He gave him blankets and coats and I think I even made some hot coffee or something for him. So in my dream, I knew that Tom was in a better place. I couldn't understand why he tried to steal my bike or even why I smothered him. I just knew he lived an awful life and all of his pain was over. At least in my dream it was.

Well, this morning my friend, Tom, passed away. He was still living on the streets, sleeping on the hard ground and drinking heavily. It was a horrid existence. His close friend Bill went to see him this morning and found him foaming at the mouth, likely already dead. I got the call this afternoon.

As I said earlier, life was hard for Tom. He was so timid, so quiet, he never hurt anybody at all. I couldn't imagine Tom doing anything bad to anybody or anything. He deserved better than he got out of life here on earth, that's for sure. I know in my heart now, he's at peace. I know that Tom doesn't feel any pain anymore. I know that it's time to say goodbye.

So goodbye Tom, you're at peace now, brother.