a homeless man named John

[Bertha Venation]

I often see a homeless man named John. He is a slight man with a close-cropped beard and blue eyes and a sweet face.

I saw him last night, and we talked a bit as I sat at a red light. The instant the light turned green the guy in the car behind me honked. I let go of John's hand and waved at the guy back there. I saw John again this morning and the same thing happened. As if I can't see the light; as If I won't move. Jeez, people. This is a human being, gimme a second!

In this morning's nanosecond, I asked John where he stays, hoping he'd tell me of a shelter. He said lately he's been staying in the doorway of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I asked "And they don't chase you away?" He said, "No, I clean it up really well before I leave" and then the light changed. :(

[hamsterjill]

1. Something Similar

I often see a homeless gentleman in my own neck of the woods on my way to work. I see him over and over and over, but there's not yet been an opportunity to talk with him. He's always on the other side of the highway, etc., but sometimes I wonder if some greater power is "showing" me this man to get me to do something.

This man is older, but I've seen him being dropped off from vehicles in the same general locale several times, a situation from the looks of which means that he was doing day labor or something. In seeing him from afar, I feel like he may have some mental health issues, which is, of course, common among the homeless. I certainly don't know that, but some signs point to that.

I've placated my own conscience by taking blankets and food, etc. to the local homeless shelter when I've been able to do that, but I would like to find a way to help this man.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Bertha...

I am proud to send your splendid thread to the Greatest Page!

And I left a comment on the other one...

This world would be so much a better place if there were more people like you in it.

:hug:

[tavalon]

3. I know this sounds radical and may not be doable

but we took in a homeless man a decade or so ago and gained a wonderful friend. Unfortunately, he passed on 2 years ago but he died among friends.

[Dappleganger]

4. Thank you for reaching out.

Sometimes I wish our home was big enough for just one more. This week I let a homeless woman take a shower and a nap inside, and it was awful to wake her up and let her know it was time to go to the shelter. Really, it just breaks my heart right now thinking of it.

Anyway, thanks for reaching out and doing something. :hi:

[monmouth]

7. A shower and a nap is priceless to these poor souls. I am now an

official admirer of yours, wish I could fan you...Thank you ronnie raygun.

[Bertha Venation]

5. Did he live with you for eight years?

Or did you help him to get on his feet otherwise?

[tavalon]

8. Actually, my partner and I had 20 acres

We got him a small trailer and he helped keep up the place. We helped him get a truck and he started doing handiwork for other people. Funny thing though, often he would stay in the city and (his word) camp. He liked sleeping on the streets from time to time even though he didn't have to. He wasn't a drinker but we did find out that he had really bad seasonal affective disorder. That may well have been why he ended up homeless. For such a sweet guy he was rather private about his history. We didn't pry. He was a good soul.

[Dappleganger]

6. Thank you for bringing humanity to the homeless.

You really blessed him just by your touch, I'm quite sure of it.

:hi:

[Divine Discontent]

9. Thank you, deeply. We ALL should help those even less fortunate than ourselves from time to time,

and your spirit is blessed, as is his for your caring about him.


God bless John, wherever he is now. Thanks for sharing...