We have befriended a homeless man in our neighborhood. He is very proud, extremely private, intelligent and independent. He refuses any institutionalized, " on the grid" social help- calls it a "hand out"--While we have on occasion helped him with medical needs and to find simple shelter ( difficult with the high and higher rentals even for just a room in a house- he gets minimal SS but anytime we have helped in an emergency with cash he quickly pays us back. Recent SS changes left him without funds for 10 days. We found info that every SS office has a " homeless liason"-- that cut through the bureaucracy!)
I realized today after spending time with him at his regular morning coffee place, that our greatest gift to him is just visiting with him, having great conversation and listening to his past stories and present hopes ( he is an artist). We enjoy our talks. He is very intelligent and funny.
We are not his only friends in our area and I see how important friendship is for him. He gets his share of " looks" and avoidance. Having friends helps him feel human and, I think, others seeing him with friends changes the quick perception and judgement others might have of him. Though he will not stay with us ( much too private for that) he trusted us with a small box of belongings and art supplies for safe keeping in our garage. His life belongings. We are privileged to know him. He is 72.
Carol, what an extraordinary story. Thank you for sharing this… reading this was a gift to my soul. We meet one another in the most unexpected ways but often with such grace. I'm glad that you and that artist found one another. You're togetherness makes the world better and inspires the rest of us.
You wrote: “…sometimes, a voice cuts through and reminds us that we can still see things differently. Gandhi’s words do that.” Your voice dear Cameron, also reminds us/me that there is a choice. How we interpret our reality matters. I feel entirely done with left and right. With othering those who don’t agree with my view. My prayer has become only “Let me see clearly, so I can act wisely for the highest good of all life.” Oh…and “Thank you!” 🥰🙏
Thank you so much. It is the straight forward tools that give us perspective that are the most helpful in the midst of our current noise and your writing is so often that for me each morning. Blessings in the ministry.
We have befriended a homeless man in our neighborhood. He is very proud, extremely private, intelligent and independent. He refuses any institutionalized, " on the grid" social help- calls it a "hand out"--While we have on occasion helped him with medical needs and to find simple shelter ( difficult with the high and higher rentals even for just a room in a house- he gets minimal SS but anytime we have helped in an emergency with cash he quickly pays us back. Recent SS changes left him without funds for 10 days. We found info that every SS office has a " homeless liason"-- that cut through the bureaucracy!)
I realized today after spending time with him at his regular morning coffee place, that our greatest gift to him is just visiting with him, having great conversation and listening to his past stories and present hopes ( he is an artist). We enjoy our talks. He is very intelligent and funny.
We are not his only friends in our area and I see how important friendship is for him. He gets his share of " looks" and avoidance. Having friends helps him feel human and, I think, others seeing him with friends changes the quick perception and judgement others might have of him. Though he will not stay with us ( much too private for that) he trusted us with a small box of belongings and art supplies for safe keeping in our garage. His life belongings. We are privileged to know him. He is 72.
Carol, what an extraordinary story. Thank you for sharing this… reading this was a gift to my soul. We meet one another in the most unexpected ways but often with such grace. I'm glad that you and that artist found one another. You're togetherness makes the world better and inspires the rest of us.
You wrote: “…sometimes, a voice cuts through and reminds us that we can still see things differently. Gandhi’s words do that.” Your voice dear Cameron, also reminds us/me that there is a choice. How we interpret our reality matters. I feel entirely done with left and right. With othering those who don’t agree with my view. My prayer has become only “Let me see clearly, so I can act wisely for the highest good of all life.” Oh…and “Thank you!” 🥰🙏
Powerful words,.. 'distance turns human suffering into abstraction'.
AND A BALL ROOM IN WHICH ONLY THR RICH WILL DANCE IS QUITE A DISTANCE.
Thank you for keeping us grounded in what really matters!
Thank you so much. It is the straight forward tools that give us perspective that are the most helpful in the midst of our current noise and your writing is so often that for me each morning. Blessings in the ministry.
We are in this together! Thank you for this wonderful homily! Blessings to you 🙏🏻