Different seeing it in person
I grew up most of my life in a small rural area. Only recently, I moved to the city. In movies and on television there are many homeless people to be seen. They are pan-handling, huddled around a garbage can fire, or sleeping under bridges. On television, I really never thought much of them. After all, it is just a tv show...surely they are paid actors and actresses.New to the city, I have ran across a few pan-handlers. It is illegal here but there are some that press their luck. I really do not think anyone really ever thinks to turn them over to the authorities.
I try to get my walk in at least 3 times a week. Tonight was one of those times. A chilly 57 degrees, but just warm enough for me to go walking in a short sleeve shirt. I knew after getting about half of my walk in I would be warm enough. I wish I would have worn my over shirt.
I do three laps around a 7 city block stretch and this is the first time I actually witnessed this is real life. There was an old man with nothing more than a paper thin wind breaker on sleeping on a bench. He had his head rested upon the cement arm rest. What could I do other than just look at him each of the three times I walked past him, wondering how one get themselves in such a circumstance.
I pondered....obviously it is a financial difficulty. But how? Is there a psychological issue with this guy? Is this guy lazy? Does nobody want to give this guy a chance? Has he given up on life? Maybe he wants to live that way? All I know, I wish I could have given him the shirt I did not wear with a couple bucks in the pocket. :(
Comments (23)
Good blog Johnny,
Its one of those splinters in the mind dont you think.
We are all every day walking a fine line and could by some small quirk of faith see us be the other guy. Perhaps it is this sullen unwanted realisation that makes us look at our feet and very often walk on by.
Personally I dont think any human spirit starts out wanting to live that way, But who am I to know the wants of every individual on earth.
not long ago i saved my youngest sister from being evicted from her house and home, if i hadn't she would of ended up on the streets.. she choose to buy wine & vodka more so than pay her rent .. not all are there through fault of their own, wheras some are .. because of personal reasons i'v mixed feelings about the down and outs but lately rather than judge them i'm thankful its not me.
That aside, hope the city treats you well
I don't know about the reason, it seems he had problem
it likes a reminder that I should be grateful for what I have
Have a nice day
According to my info it is only illegal when you don't have a permit. The price for such a permit varies from state to state. It can be anything from being free to US$100.
Check this
Hope you take the shirt next time.
we have so many homeless people in Philippines, you can see them everywhere there...it does break my heart to see photos of them but when I was there, I was very scared to go to places where they are...many homeless children are taking drugs and do crimes there.
I got lost and walked into an alley one time and saw those homeless people and the children were taking drugs...I was very very scared and was praying to God to let me get out of there in one piece
Here in Jordan, we can't see homeless people in the street...except those gypsies in remote areas who move from here and there with their tents and caravans.::grin: I do feel safe walking alone at night here than in Philippines.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this and bringing a somewhat new perspective to my attention. I like how you address our "priorities" in life.
I suppose I am fortunate to come from a large and very close family. There never really has been a thought in my mind about being in a similar situation because I would like to think that my family would be there for me in a time of need. However, I can easily see where if somebody does not have anyone to fall back on, it could easily be anyone of them. Who knows, under the perfect circumstances, it could be me as well.
With the way the world is going right now and our financial institutions have a large failure....it might be all of us.
Thank you NS.
You know, it can happen to anyone and it almost happened to me until I ate crow and asked my sister if I could move in. By "eating crow" I mean that I swore to myself I would never to turn to this sister for help. She was the kind of person that tried to orchestrate everyone's life to her way. She was so obstinate she wouldn't understand that people live the way they do and outside interference is not allowed.
I lost my job, I had divorced my wife and things fell apart. I am not a big drinker, gambler, druggie or ANY of that. I just had the misfortune of marrying a woman who thought everything she had was hers and everything I had was hers too.
But I worked hard and things worked out. I have now been cruising well for about 26 years now.
My heart goes out to these people but now that I have moved into this new town I don't help anyone. There are so many beggars one may get asked 3 to 4 times a day.
Besides California has a great network of helping those down. We even have a free cell phone program! There's enough free stuff to keep people begging, but thy still do.
"to keep people FROM begging"!
I find it so frustrating to see people (especially ones you deeply care about) self destruct and they seem to have no idea on how much they are hurting themselves. But, they are human and have feelings too. I think it is important to understand them and help them to see the positives in life and the good within themselves. Hopefully in time, they recognize their self destructive behaviors.
That is a nice thing you done for your sister.
That is exactly what I thought when I seen him laying out in the cold weather and his head on the cement....what a luxury it is to have a warm bed. It certainly gave me more of a perspective on my life...and hopefully to others as well.
Thanks Dew.
Isn't that something.
Thanks Cat.
I agree, they are people too.
I would think there has to be programs out there that would keep people in small apartments and living on their own, rather than choosing to live on the streets. The older guy I seen, I can imagine he is probably getting a social security check. The way I think, I just cannot grasp why somebody would accept that sort of life. But...I suppose they have their reasons.
Thanks L.L.
I can see you doing that (giving the food), with the good heart you have.
However, I wonder if there is any sort of common underlying problem that can help prevent people from resorting to this type of lifestyle....especially the ones that do not want to be living that way. Who knows, maybe there are not many out there who do not mind living that way. I often wonder how sitting down with somebody (or many) and talking with them and getting their story would be. Hmm....not sure if that would be a good idea or not.
Thanks Usha
Thanks for sharing your post. Many of your comments have answered some of the unknowns I had. Regarding the convicted criminals, it is difficult to know for sure if they have been reformed for society or not. I guess it is just easier for them to be avoided in general. But, that is not fair for the ones who have been genuinely reformed.
I remember hearing a story about that one time, about requesting one's criminal history on job application forms. It is very difficult for a convicted criminal to find decent jobs. That can be a very tricky area for any employer and again, unfair for the genuinely reformed criminal who can be discriminated against. I would like to think if somebody did their time, they paid their debt to society. Maybe I am just being naive.
Thanks again Ken.
What a terrible situation in the Philippines. It is sad enough to see adults homeless because one would think they made their own choices to be there (in one way or another); but, to see the children in those same circumstances....that is too bad. I am not sure how I would feel also in a similar situation as you shared...desperate people do desperate things. :(
I am happy to hear you stayed unharmed.
Apparently Jordan is doing something right.
Thanks for sharing CH
I would like to have thought by giving this guy a couple of bucks that he would have a warm cup of coffee in the morning. I am sure I am just looking at it from what I would have done in his situation.
Thanks 231
Interesting story and I appreciate you shedding some light on how somebody can end up in similar situations.
From personal experience, I know some family members seem to come across as trying to be controlling, but I think they feel they are trying to look out for one out of love. They fail to see that everyone is entitled to live their lives the way they feel is adequate. It is great to hear you had somebody to fall back on when times got tough for you...also, congrats on making your life work for the last 20+ years.
I was told once, meeting the wrong woman can make your life a living hell.
Thanks Ed.
There Is times! When I ask myself this too! And I often have wondered! What can I do?! But! As of yet! I have No answer at all.
Even some shelters are full! And I have heard that! The people that is there, has to be gone until a certain time to return back to the place. Here! I here when it's very cold or very hot! They can stay in the shelter for that day.
But At other times! They Might have to be gone for a few hours. But! I don't know the rules in all states either.
Yes! It is a sad case also.
You know, I was trying to think of some sort of remedy also. I think we as a country could curb some of this issue as a whole. Can you imagine if every person in this country donated just $1 a year, how many shelters could be built? Something that small could make a big difference. Maybe with the internet now as a tool, this might be an actualization somewhere down the road.
Thanks Pepps
There is one lady that has been panhandling and you can see the look on her face. One of those two possibilities I would guess fit her to a T. The look on her face...she looks depressed and lost. It is really a sad sight.
Thanks Ocee.