Homeless People,living on the Streets in our Towns .
72Diary of a Homeless Man
Hello, my name is Brian. I am homeless and have been since I broke up with my girlfriend two years ago. At the moment I am living in the streets of Sacramento. Every morning I procure a newspaper and, if I have money, I buy a six pack of beer, I stop off at a bathroom in a fast food restaurant and wash and shave. I like to be clean,
My favorite hang out during the day is in the local park. There are sheltered picnic tables where I can set out my newspaper. I like to keep up to date with the news. Breakfast is a can of beer, strong high alcohol brew. I check out the job section. Sometimes I get handyman jobs which enable me to buy my necessary beer supply. I am an alcoholic, my parents have sent me to rehab four times. I like beer, I need beer, they don't understand. I only see family members at Thanksgiving. Some of them do not know about my life style. This is about the only time I see my son who is disgusted with my beer habit, no I'll rephrase that, that I am an alcoholic. I cannot function without it.
If it is a nice day I will go and join other homeless people under the trees with their dogs. Dogs have nice warm body and keep you cosy at night. They also help with panhandling, which can be very lucrative as people seem to be more concerned about the dogs than the people. I receive a small pension as I am a Vietnam Vet. Doesn't seem to count for much these days but I still get the nightmares.
At weekends I travel the whole park and check out the garbage bins for cans. It is very competitive these days as two black rubbish sacks full can bring $30. It is best after parties in the summer. Some of my old friends remember me and know where to find me. I sometimes get work from them and a hot meal.
During the day I play my radio, battery operated. I usually listen to religious channels as it confirms my faith. I know God is looking after me and I think I have a good life with the ultimate freedom.
I have many places to hide at night which are relatively comfortable and sheltered. If the cops find me they usually just caution me and leave me alone. As long as I have my beer I am happy. Sometimes people talk to me and try to make me change my ways. They don't know that I can't function without Beer. It is my lifeblood I need my Beer.
Thank you for stopping to talk to me, but please realise I can't give up my beer, besides I need the cans.
Footnote Today, a year later I bumped into "Brian" again. We were walking our dogs. He remembered me and shook my hand. "So nice to see you" he said. He was looking good and had grown a small, neat beard. I asked him how things were going. "I have a job and I'm doing well" Not a trace of alcohol on his breath. Things can get better!
Helping the homeless
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Thanks for being my first visitor and the kind comment. This is based on a conversation I had with a homeless guy the other day. He was quite content with his lot and blamed no one but himself for the situation.
It's so good to hear that some people stop and talk to the homeless. Most people try to ignore it, and, I think from their own fears, people tend to turn up their noses -- too proud, and also, grimace in disgust without knowing the story behind them being out there. No-one decides one day to wake up and set out to become homeless. Thanks Gypsy Willow. Great Hub Topic!
Thank Maggie-May. There are some petty interesting characters in our local park, a great number are Vietnam Vets. A sad way to end up after surviving that horror. Wish we could do more to help.
I met one homeless guy who asked me to remember his name. I guess it was his Vietnam war nickname. He was a vet and his name was "Johnny Be Good". Him I felt sorry for.
Years back I worked at a shelter for people who were participating in a program to get back on their feet and knew a man there who told me he did not want to live in a house or apartment, but actually wanted to be homeless. He wanted the freedom from paying taxes and being told what to do.
I moved to Santa Cruz and met him there later, he was smoking pot. Then I understood what kind of freedom he really wanted. Freedom from responsibility so he could smoke.
Some people bring it on themselves, but I feel that many more have no desire to live on the streets and they need our compassion. Thanks for your touching interview Gypsy.
It is so sad on the homeless side, for whatever reason, and the family side. I know that some alcoholics just can't help it. For some unknown reason they just have to have it. Maybe there is something in their body. Also soldiers who have seen the worst of it bound to be so messed up that they just can't fit back into normal life. If you think the man has been trained (brainwashed) into a soldier's life, done his duty, seen the worst and then gets thrown back into a normal life. I think they should be retrained, so to speak, to fit back into a normal life. Especially the Vietnam Vets. Surely they deserve that. Thank you highlighting the problem of homelessness. It can happened to anyone.
This is a great story. There are many homeless in Tampa Bay. I am always torn by mixed feelings of feeling sorry for them or blaming them for being where they are. But as your story says, having a beer is more important to some. If they don't want to change, what can society do? Be well.
Hi Alexander, thanks for such an insightful comment. I think your conclusions are correct.
Hi Hello hello, what a sound idea to help the vets fit back into society. Sadly there is probably no money for such a program theses days. Thanks for the kind comment.
Thanks for coming by FGual. Some of the homeless are there by choice but it still seems sad that not enough is done to help them.
Your written words and the accompanying pictures provide impact to this often ignored segment of society...Yes, it is worldwide, and generally they are men with low esteem, low intelligence, and low motivation to change...Many should be in a caring mental hospital as some simply cannot cope with the complexity of modern life...
Drugs and alcoholism are a common thread, and many are PTSD afflicted veterans...How do you help those that do not want to be helped..? We can only offer our compassion and try to understand their aberrant behaviour...Larry
That is a good summing up of the sad situation. I visited the USA in 1980 just after Reagan had closed down the mental hospitals. I was horrified to see these helpless, hopeless people sitting around in Banks and public places just completely lost. It threw a completely different perspective on America as I had envisioned it from a European point of view. Thanks for your comment.
good story...and well written
How can one respond? So much pain out there, so much weakness and so much suffering.
Thanks for reading the story Enlydia, I appreciate it.
You are correct Dimitiris, we are so lucky. It's a cold, tough world out there. Thanks for the comment.
Excellent hub and sad as well. I wish I could help everyone out there that are homeless especially the ones that have children. But I can only do it a little at a time. A dollar here a dollar there. I try. Thanks for this hub.
Nos waith da Gypsy Willow. I was on the streets for a month after i hit a bad patch in my life a few years ago. I previously took the money i earned for granted, along with a bath, clean clothes, fresh food, shelter and most other things. I formed a sort of camaraderie with other homeless who had little but gave me what they had when i was in need. I eventually got back on my feet and now value the things we all take for granted, like health,sight, touch, taste-all standard equipment at birth. If i come across a homeless person now i cannot pass them by without having a chat, finding out their name and telling them mine. Some are so spaced out through the hell of addiction they dont remember next time i have talked to them, but it wont stop me doing the same thing again After all, who are we to judge them. We just dont know what demons they may have faced in their lives. Its great to see a hubber take the time to to tackle this situation many will never(hopefully)find themselves in. Its not the best place to be.
Hey nomoretrucks, glad you got back on your feet. Your life is probably more precious now. It could happen to anyone. Thanks for the disclosure and interesting comment
I have a gambling problem that ruined my life, I could just have easily ended up homeless. but somehow a person has to have the desire to change their lives, I did thanks to God and the gamblers anonamous I started here in my town and my life is getting back on track. we cannot feel as sorry for these folks as most think we should.
Thanks for the candid comment AR. Glad you are getting back on track. I'm not sorry for Brian. He was quite content with his lot when I met him. Glad you had the desire.
Great Hub Gypsy. It truly is sad knowing there are so many people without a place to call home. I travel into Boston all of the time and see so many people struggling to get by. Yet on the same street is some of the most well off people around. It is nice when I see them talking to each other. But, that isn't often.
Hi Jim, they are humans struggling with life in a dimension greater than ours. Our local park has many people trying to get by and the problem is in your face. Thanks for the comment, Here we have the same contrast, truly sad.
But for the grace of God go I. On cold Michigan nights, I often pray for those who have to sleep outside. I can't imagine having to collect cans just to survive. A great hub, its throws light on a topic that isn't talked about much but which hasn't gone away.
Hi reddog, it is certainly ever present here. Some one once told me that not many people sleep on park benches in Michigan because of the cold. Seems there are desperate people every where. Thanks for your kind comment.
For 19 years my wife and I have befriended and advocated for the homeless. We hang out in the camps and on the streets daily loving them, being with them when they go to the hospital and much more. We have a million stories to tell of our homeless friends. Thanks for the hub and for keeping the struggles of the homeless in public view.
That is just wonderful, you guys are the best! The problem is so big and growing. Thank you for your comment.
I can identify with this right now, a close friend of mine has a teenage son, only 18 who has fallen along the way into drugs. After a long 2 yr battle my very good friend has put him out of the home - not a light decision, after much heartache. This happened last week and the son is now (he says) on a park bench. Texts flying furiously now between family and friends (including me, as his 'uncle/friend') ...so upsetting but we all feel so helpless now- the kid has had a great, anchored up-bringing with parents who have managed to maintain what they thought (and us all) the right balance between freedom and discipline but hey...this is real now and he's only texting me now for money to get drugs - money that if I give now, could end his life. His parents, his sister and all close friends, such as myself are now facing this, with no experience before...social services won't help as they say "he's not causing any legal (police) problems to society..so we can't intervene"..what do YOU DO? Almost deleted that but thought no, people should know. Feel free to deny, I'll understand totally.
Well I wouldn't give him money as it will end up as you thought. He needs to go to rehab but he has to hit rock bottom before he will realise it is an option. The danger is he will steal to support his habit and end up in serious trouble. If he were mine I would tip off the cops to arrest him for possesion and he would be forced to face the situation. Terribly sad as it is so common these days. These are just my thoughts
Thanks for that Gypsy - we discussed that and now one of us will do that.
Hope it all works out. So worrying as the son is no longer in the driving seat, the drug is. Good luck.
Thank you Gypsy and everyone that commented. This is a real issue. Every where you go now a days you see the homeless. You know what sucks is that we can not help them all. I was telling my daughter last night, if I were rich,like many stars, sports players etc. I would open a place for the people to go and get help with training for a job and do what ever else I could to help. The ones that want to be helped. I feel for the children. So sad.
Hi Granny, the situation is beyond sad as I don't think all of them want to enter society like the young man I met. It is a huge problem and I always think "there but for the grace of god...... Thanks for the comment.
I used to have a lock up restaurant business with an alleyway and lockable gate down the side - the homeless used to climb over when the unit was closed, take cardboard out of the bin for their shelter and sleep there until opening time - they did no harm and moved politely every morning - we used to leave them food rather than bin it. So upsetting.
Hi Juliette, that was such a positive way to help and so much restaurant food is simply thrown away. Thank you for coming by.
Quite a compelling story, my dear. I enjoyed learning the inside scoop. Thanks for the good read.
Don't walk by, dig deep into your pocket or purse and extend a helping hand, I give what I can, we have homeless people all over the world and it's sad to see. I have spoken with a few and they tell me their reasons, all we can do is listen and extend a hand and a prayer. Thank goodness for all the organizations who help and show their loving kindness to the homeless. For every reason under the sun a person can be homeless, I know of one man who was a top executive and rich, he got into drugs, lost everything and lives in the streets. I pray that God will help every homeless person find love in their God. thank you for sharing this post, my tears are flowing.
Thanks for stopping by James
Hi saddlerider, too easy to just walk by. They all need whatever help we can give them. Thanks for your touching comment.
Take them to get food or sit with them awhile in a restaraunt for a meal. Don't just give them money. They would appreciate it more if they were given a real meal and not something from the trash.
Good idea Lady Guinevere. That would be a kind thing to do. Thanks for dropping by.
Homelessness is so often a problem of mental illness as well as poverty. What a shame. It is good for us to know that it exists.
Shealy
Thank you for the comment, your observation is correct.
Hi Gypsy Willow! The pictures you have mentioned here say the story themselves. A well written hub with great efforts.Liked your other hubs too. Joining your fanclub and would like to invite you to join mine. :)
Thanks dealrocker. Thanks for the kind comment. Looking at your hubs now.
Homelessness is such a sad situation. I hear people say that they often bring it on themselves, but I can't help wondering about that. I wrote a little piece the other day which was inspired by the sight of a person lying under a bright red blanket on the sidewalk, obviously having slept there all night. And our nights are cold this time of year.
Part of me wanted to go and talk to the person, find out if I could help. Another part of me said the person most likely would not like to be woken and might not like his/her privacy invaded either. I sometimes just don't know how to respond in such situations.
Thanks for sharing the interview and the pix.
Love and peace
Tony
Thanks Tony, it is difficult to know what to do. My heart goes out to them. Our area is very warm and they are everywhere. Thanks for the comment
This reminds me that we are indeed blest to have a warm comfortable home with enough food on the table and loved ones around us....
We are indeed Loveslove, we should never forget that. Thanks for stopping by.
I have a couple of friends who are not stable emotionally, but are not addicted to anything. They are gypsies, nomads, and always on the move, often on the street. For them, it's affording the meds to keep them stable. However, they don't like the meds either, and so they justify not taking them, and then blame society for not providing better for them. It's a very difficult thing, always complicated.
Thanks for a very insightful hub. I look forward to reading more!
Thanks for pointing out a new angle Daniel. The weather is scorchingly hot here and the homeless are visibly suffering every where. Just being glad we are not in that situation isn't enough. The problem is so enormous that one feels overwhelmed and the little I can do to help is like a raindrop that evaporates before it reaches the parched ground.
I have been homeless in the past with little ones in tow, it was never an easy life. I have never had a lot of money and even now I live with my sister. It is hard for me to work for I have many back problems which are very painful.
But, i am a Gypsy and adapt quickly to what ever comes my way in life. I try not to dwell on where I will be tomorrow or next month (unless winter is coming).
I used to live in Arizona and go frequently to Sierra Vista, where there are a lot of homeless men. Instead of giving out money, my sister and I would help these gentlemen by bringing them healthy sandwiches, snacks and gallons of water. we had given them jackets and blankets closer toward the winter months and information on shelters they may try to use.
I felt bad for them, but I felt good that I was at least doing something to help.
That is the best way to help. It is heart breaking to see them and I was amazed by the reaction of the guy I talked to. It was summer though. Well done Gypsy. I hope things work out for you. Thanks for stopping by,
So sad
Quite!
I think its sad how he uses the money to buy beer and there is no such thing as can't maybe something happened in his life that changed him dramatically like maybe the war has him traumatized he needs to help himself and talk to someone people that know him like family need to talk to him and let him talk about what he feels but he can make it and change his life around.
I think its sad how he uses the money to buy beer and there is no such thing as can't maybe something happened in his life that changed him dramatically like maybe the war has him traumatized he needs to help himself and talk to someone people that know him like family need to talk to him and let him talk about what he feels but he can make it and change his life around.
Great Hub,well trust me I've seen a lot of homeless people when I visited Philippines children checking out garbage for leftover foods, elderly holding a can or cups begging for coins, It breaks my heart seeing people o such condition
So sad! I haven't visited the Philippines but I don't have to travel that far to see human misery. How can such inequality exist in a civilised society? Thanks for the visit.
Good hub, a lot of homeless folks are fine with where they're at. There are a lot of reasons they choose the streets and while I don't know if I could do it I'm amazed at their attitudes. I've gotten along fine with them through the years, I used to work in a downtown area and got to know some real characters. Peace!! Tom
That's a true comment Tom. I don't think I could do it either. Sad though. Some are obviously ill and no one seems to help. Thanks for dropping by.
I have been homeless. Sleeping outside is very cold. Alcohol is a cheap way to get calories. When people curse the homeless and poor, they are stomping on their neck. It is usually Rejection from the family that makes homeless remain in an empathetic community of the streets
Hi Lilly Well you really know it first hand. I hope life is peaceful for you now. It is difficult not to encounter them in Sacramento as there are too many to miss, up here in the mountains it is too cold. I wish you and them well. Thanks for dropping by.
I am homeless in a womens home for Dv left abuse its hard to get back on your feet i am embassassed to pan handle but i mite have to
Hi Joanie, so sorry to hear of your plight. I wish you the best of luck getting back on your feet. Thank you for dropping by.
God bless you Gypsy Willow.
Thank you Micky. May you be blessed too.
I know of that which you write.
Well you can apprecte my concern World Traveller. Thanks for the comment.
Gypsy Woman, Great hub! I like how you told the story from the real person, and used real people in your photos. Very authentic. Great job, and take care!
Thanks for the visit prairieprincess and your kind comments on this sad situation.
This is a great hub and the pictures tell a great story. It strikes me that Brian told you he has the "ultimate freedom". I found this hub very thought provoking. :D
Thanks for your visit k@ri. It is thought provoking as Brian was quite happy with his lot. Maybe if we had talked in mid winter it would be a different story.
Thank you for being a voice for many homeless. We need to be helping one another. One never knows if they could be next.
In these sad uncertain times there is no security for any one. Thank you for visiting and pointing out the need to help one another
There but for the grace of God go I is what I think...and I don't believe in God. I am homeless too, by choice, but not in any dire straits, right now I have a cheap room and it is 'home' and I love it. Been close a time or two to having nothing. This gives me I think, I hope, a bigger heart. I help others where I can. Thank you for your hub.
I only wish more people would do more to help the homeless. The unfiar stigma of "lazy bum" is so upsetting, and I am so heartened to hubs such as this. Kudos.
Hi Peter Glad you have your room especially as it's winter Good luck and keep your positive attitude
HI Genna, it is a very sad situation which I find very upsetting. They are everywhere in our warmer cities. Most seem to be Vietnam vets. so unfair they should end up like this. Thanks for your kind comment.
There is this woman I drive past everyday after work. I try to give her food and clothing as much as possible.
So much better than money. Good for you. There are so many in Sacramento.
This is really touching - the pictures and the story. We have a huge problem with homeless people here. I found a place called Camp Hopeville by the riverfront in St. Louis. I took a turn down the wrong street - it was freezing cold. The camp was a collection of blue tents. So sad.
It is when I see things like this that I know how lucky I am. A very good hub which brings a desperate situation to people's notice.
Hi RH, It is sad and seems to be everywhere. There is even an old man who stands outside our local supermarket at Lake Tahoe with a sign saying he is homeless. The temperatures day and night here are very very cold. So sad. Thanks for the comment
We are so lucky Hummingbird. Thanks for dropping by.
thoughtful hub. thanks for sharing
Daffodil, thanks for reading
I like what i read of your hubs, Gypsy Willow. You are a sensitive soul and you take it to create beauty and awareness.
Pleased.
Thank you for your kind observation ginjill. I am pleased that you enjoy my hubs.
How sad is this. I remember a young friend of mine lecturing me on giving money to a homeless guy - skinny, pathetic kid who was polite and kept his distance. "He'll only use it to buy drugs. You should give your money to an established charity," she said. The young man took the money and jogged over to the nearby McDonald's.
"Drug addicts need to eat, " I said. "He's hungry now."
It is a problem to know what is best. There is an old man who sits outside the supermarket I use. Now instead of money I give him something from my basket as I leave. He is always grateful and I know he has something to eat. Difficult situation isn't it. I don't trust charities any more and only give money to the local animal sanctuary. We are truly blessed when we have a cosy home and adequate food. Thanks for your comment Dolores.
A great blog. Thank you for posting this. Indeed people can change (if they want to). It is all in our minds. We have the power to do almost anything. I believe in that - my wishes come true (and I wish some ... out of the ordinary things sometimes).
All the very best to you!
Mr Happy thank you for reading my blog. People are capable of extraordinary things when they set their minds to it. I wish you all the very best too.
Very eye opening. I encourage you to keep up the good work of informing!
Thank you for the comment. Perhaps I should write again!
I walk my dog in the park every morning. Sometimes there are homeless people like Brian. Sometimes there are homeless families with kids.
So sad, America is loosing its grip on reality. The situation is not OK Billions spent on foreign wars few people care about or even know anything about the countries involved. It is a homegrown shame.
Beautifully written. May God bless you for caring.
Thank you Dim.
For every one person who would like to assist a homeless person, there are thousands of bureaucrats ensuring they remain homeless. If those bureaucrats would use the resources available to them for assisting the homeless you would not see this. President Obama sign a 1.5 billion dollar bill to ensure that people would not loose their apartment or could be placed in another apartment quickly. However, the bureaucracy being what it is cleverly skimmed the money into salaries at the non-profit administers of these program. Go to any HUD site and you will see it.
Such a sad state. Some people should be very ashamed.
Great Hub – touches the heart, and lots of wonderful comments!
Yes, the homeless situation is sad indeed - especially since it doesn't have to be that way. We've all heard the statistics: Take an insignificant fraction of government spending in any major category, and you can feed and house all the homeless and poor. But that never works due to the reasons platinumOwl4 sites above.
But it goes deeper than that. Most of the homeless and poor are just victims of our negative-sum-gain system. A system designed to create a certain percentage of failures, foreclosures, and insolvency. We are increasingly conditioned to accept this type of system by the education system, the workplace SOP, and especially the mainstream media.
For example, many companies today use an appraisal system that requires 10% to be rated “needs improvement” (improve or you’re out) - no matter how good they all are. Also, eg, TV shows like Celebrity Apprentice, and other reality shows where failure of a certain percentage is guaranteed. So for those of us who are not currently in the bottom x percent, it’s our fault for letting, and even encouraging, this type of system to perpetuate.
You have a kind heart in helping to soften people up to this worldwide atrocity.
Thank you for your insightful comment. I hadn't even considered the point you make. I just feel so sad when I see so many "broken" people, many of them Vietnam vets. So bad.
Your firsthand story about Brian is very heartwarming. Most of us are being judgmental when we see people frolicking on the streets. Little did we know that like us, they have their own dispositions in life.
Thanks for the comment travel_man. I have since met Brian again. He now has a job and a home which is wonderful news.
I worked at a homeless shelter once so I know the predicament they are in. A warm bed and meal is possible at the shelter but they can only stay a few nights of the month. Great story. I hope Brian stays sober. Is he???
I haven't seen Brian in 4 months but at that time he was holding down a job. Things can turn round for some but sadly I don't think for many. Thanks for your comment.
Hi, this was really interesting to see their point of view, and I hope he did get himself together and get a job, its just not fair how Vietnam vets get treated, its the same over here, straight out of the army and knowhere to go only the streets, very well done, rated up! cheers nell
Thanks Nell. It is so sad and really puts a blight on life. How can you walk past them without feeling their pain?
Hi Gypsy Willow,
I think you have cptured the broken spirit of so many disenfranchised people living on the streets of America. It is a national crisis for which I see no immediate end.
JT
Sadly I think you are correct. It is a very sad reflection on America that so many homeless people are Vietnam Vets. "Brian" in my hub actually has a job now so it is possible to lift ones self out of this dire straight. Thanks for the comment
Where I live we have a sleepout fundraiser one night a year to give locals a feeling of what it's like to be homeless - homelessness can be caused by things outside someone's control like mental illness so thanks to local organizations for raising funds to help people out.
Hi psychodog.net! What a brilliant idea. I think mental illness has a lot to do with the problem. A great majority in our area are Vietnam vets. So sad. Thanks for the comment.
The sad thing is that most people think all are like Brian the alcoholic and have no pity for the homeless when now it is very much families and quite a bit children under ten and there is no excuse for that in the US where we run and throw millions at anyone's cause and feed children who have cows who are their aunts, so they can't eat them!
I quite agree Polly. Their is enough money to throw at foreign aid for people who hate us but none to help the people thrown out of their homes by greedy bankers. Sad state of affairs. No one seems willing to address the problem. Shameful. Thanks for commenting.
What a clever format to convey a compelling story-- yeah up and awesome...
Thanks again Frank!
AWESOME LOVE By BERNARD LEVINE
To go to the ends of the world
to help a stranger
To give someone incredible kindness
they will never forget
To treat animals and all of nature
with respect and compassion
These are the things that give life true purpose.
To value your special uniqueness
as a beautiful child of God
To elevate your mind
with the higher value of integrity
To upgrade your living environment
planting seeds to enrich the soul
To give a child caring devotion
so they feel they are loved
To rise above your circumstances
with faith in the power of God
And with the purity of healing love
in your heart
your life will know no boundaries.
© Bernard Levine
Thank you Bernard for this wonderful addition to my hub.
I think people shouldn't be homeless..being in the usa i don't understand..we have homeless living under vi docks and in abandoned houses..
They shouldn't but they are. A sad reflection on our modern society. Thanks for visiting my hub and commenting.
Hello, Gypsy! on 12/7, voted up and all but funny on this touching hub. I really appreciate you bringing this situation to light. I am in awe of your talent. And I ask that you forgive me for not coming around often to check out your great stories. I am truly sorry. I am not in good health and I was finishing some projects that I needed to do in case my health should worsen. Thanks. And you might check my hub, " . . .someone please help me" about this same topic, but YOURS is far-better. Have a Merry Christmas, my friend. I DO Value you as a follower and friend. KENNETH
Thank you for your kind comments Kenneth. I will check out your kindred hub. It is a very sad situation. Hope your health gets better soon. Happy holidays to you and yours.
Hi, Gypsy, my talented friend. YOU are much-welcome. And thanks for checking out my homeless hub. Yes, it is sad. And our Fed. Government needs to address this problem....ASAP instead of sending billions to war countries that we started the wars!!!!!
this is an awesome HUB.. My heart goes out to people in this situation. we do not know their stories.. You are very talented to put all of this together. thank you
I voted up and awesome
Happy New Year.
debbie
Dear Gypsy,
Thanks again for being such a warm and sensitive soul. I wish for YOU and YOURS the Best New Year--EVER!!! Peace!
Hi Debbie Happy New Year to you and yours too.? We are very lucky that we have a warm bed and shelter each night. Thanks for visiting.
Hi Kenneth! Happy New Year to you and yours too.
Hello Gypsy, what a nice hub, it brings back bad and good memory, misty good of some nice homeless people I've had the pleasure to meet.
The bad first because it's long gone. My Exafool use to tell me I would be a bag lady without him. HaHa I'm not.
The good: My granddaughter left an old matress in my garage, my son put it in his truck and I drove to the dumps with him. The dumps wanted $120 to dump both pieces, so we were going to another dump. When we were about to drive onto the freeway there was a lady and man with a sign "NEED FOOD" my son called out how about a mattress? The lady way so happy, she was crying. Yes,yes, under the overpass. My son helped her carry the old mattress and springs to their makeshift tent. I was crying too because she was so happy. I felt so grateful, this pretty young woman, so happy to have so little. I handed her the $50 that I would have paid the other dump. I still think about her and hope she's ok. You sure got my vote up.
Hi Gypsy, I'm glad I ran across this Hub. I had a family member who was homeless for a while, and I could not understand why. Things are much better for him now and I am grateful. He's working and has an apartment (he does like beer). Thank you for writing this wonderful story. I look forward to reading more of your Hubs.
Thanks for reading Kristine. A friend from the UK visited recently and his main impression was the number of homeless. If America can fund a war in Afghanistan it can surely find the money to get the homeless back on their feet.
billyaustindillon Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
Some of those pictures are priceless and tell the story magnificently. A picture tells a thousand words