Anyways, there are a lot of homeless people in Seattle like any bigger city. I have a heart for the homeless as most of you know. I think that a house and food are two BASIC BASIC things that every person should have no matter what. Without these things, the rest of life becomes incredibly difficult. So it pains me to see so many of them on the streets of my new city. And it physically hurts me to watch them get treated like crap or just ignored as if they are not people. I just read an article today in Real Change (the homelessness paper here in Seattle) saying that in the past 3 months 14 of the city's homeless have died. At least 2 of them were suicides and 3 of them murders. This is terrible.
So, when I was in dowtown biking between offices, I was stopped at a red light. A homeless woman on the corner asked me if I had 3 singles to trade for her $3 in quarters. She had been collecting the quarters probably all morning. I did not have any cash on me so I told her this. She said, "Oh you don't have any money? Do you want one of my dollars?" I replied, "Oh no, it's ok. Have a nice day!" And then rode off on my bike as the light had changed. This was then all I could think about for a while. This woman has nothing. NOTHING. Except for the 12 quarters in her hand. After hearing that I had nothing, she wanted to offer me 4 of her precious quarters that she had aquired all morning long. I think one of the reasons why I have such a heart for the homeless is because of their generocity. I have talked to many homeless people in multiple cities. They always want to do something to help me. They don't just want a hand out. They would LOVE to do somthing in return. Not just because they need to fell useful, but because they truly WANT to help me. Community is a huge part of being homeless. Most of the people know each other and there is a definite culture that goes along with living on the street. I was just so taken back by this woman who wanted to give me her coins. I am rich. No I don't have a million dollars or even a thousand dollars to my name, but I am so incredibly rich in resources that this woman will never have. I don't know her story of why and how she got where she is or if she has any children that she is trying to care for, I only spoke with her for about 15 seconds. But I know that it is not right. Nobody should live this way. NOBODY.
So, when I was in dowtown biking between offices, I was stopped at a red light. A homeless woman on the corner asked me if I had 3 singles to trade for her $3 in quarters. She had been collecting the quarters probably all morning. I did not have any cash on me so I told her this. She said, "Oh you don't have any money? Do you want one of my dollars?" I replied, "Oh no, it's ok. Have a nice day!" And then rode off on my bike as the light had changed. This was then all I could think about for a while. This woman has nothing. NOTHING. Except for the 12 quarters in her hand. After hearing that I had nothing, she wanted to offer me 4 of her precious quarters that she had aquired all morning long. I think one of the reasons why I have such a heart for the homeless is because of their generocity. I have talked to many homeless people in multiple cities. They always want to do something to help me. They don't just want a hand out. They would LOVE to do somthing in return. Not just because they need to fell useful, but because they truly WANT to help me. Community is a huge part of being homeless. Most of the people know each other and there is a definite culture that goes along with living on the street. I was just so taken back by this woman who wanted to give me her coins. I am rich. No I don't have a million dollars or even a thousand dollars to my name, but I am so incredibly rich in resources that this woman will never have. I don't know her story of why and how she got where she is or if she has any children that she is trying to care for, I only spoke with her for about 15 seconds. But I know that it is not right. Nobody should live this way. NOBODY.
4 comments:
Hey this is just one small comment on one small sentence amidst a nice long post... But I find it interesting that you say a house is something everybody NEEDS no matter what... But we just read Radical Simplicity, which says down-with-houses! I guess it's more about shelter/protection, but I still think it's interesting. I haven't decided whether I agree with him--I mean, I do, but I think a house might still be the thing for me.
There is a homeless woman in Bethlehem who I see many of the same places I go around town. She frequents coffee shops and libraries in the area and always looks happy. I am always compelled to talk to her, but never have the courage. I'm just not sure what I would say, but I wish so badly there was something I could do. I am going to try and use your story to help me do something the next time I see her.
Having had a parent who was homeless for a period of time, I have heard on multiple occasions of how cohesive and supportive the homeless community is, especially with their own.
However, being the realist that I can be sometimes, let us realize that every community is made up of good and bad people. I have heard those stories too, experiences my mother had firsthand with other homeless individuals who were what one might call "bad seeds".
Your particular story, Jill, in my head reflects upon something greater than just the homeless community. It reflects upon the concept of human "goodness" and generosity, things that have been lost on the whole. So, my interpretation of what you experienced was a symbol of human generosity. You acknowledged this woman as a human being and she, in return, did the same for you.
I feel the homeless have a strong community support system because that is something they need in order to survive and thrive. The strong sense of community they have draws out their goodness, a basic human component, which is getting lost in society these days due to too many possessions, distractions, and an overall lack of interaction with one another. I'm glad you had a positive interaction with the homeless lady, Jill, and it's touching she offered you some of the little coins that she had.
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