RESTORATION
Beauty for ashes and beauty in ashes. I am always struck by the gentleness of the homeless. This series is an ongoing journey - I watch, I learn, I listen, I value.
Beauty for ashes and beauty in ashes. I am always struck by the gentleness of the homeless. This series is an ongoing journey - I watch, I learn, I listen, I value.
Homeless gentleman, NYC
Perfect moments in an imperfect world....sharing a few dollars and a smile with a person on a bike in the snow (painting in progress)
My friend, John
On New Year's Eve day in 2015, I was running out to get a few things for the evening, and as I was walking out of Kroger's, I noticed the gentle older homeless man that I watch for periodically. I knew that I had some returnable cans in my car, so I went to my car and get the bag of cans and bring them to him. He was unassuming - standing by his bike packed with bundles. It is bitter cold and he has snot running from his nose. I couldn't get the picture out of my mind. "You don't need these?," he asked me. I said, "No, God bless you." He said, "thank you," and went into Kroger to get the return on a bag of cans which would render less than $10. I had a heart for this gentle man, and I prayed, "What can I do for him?" I looked for a way to make his day brighter and ran to get him a specialty coffee while he was in the store and stuck it in his bike basket before he returned. I left, but sat in my car at a distance to watch for him. Funny, I don't think he liked coffee and it probably worried him that someone was close enough to intrude upon the bike that carried his life possessions. I was touched and my heart was moved for this man. "What can I do for him?"
Fast forward a few years.....I am privileged to have become friends with this man. We share coffee now and then and I sometimes look for his bike just to interrupt his day. He is a kind soul - very unassuming and gentle, and has lived outside for a few years now. I am touched with compassion as I hear about his life and his story. Fixing services are not the fix for his condition. At times, I must admit I'm jealous of the simplicity of his existence. I'm happy to spend time with him and look for ways to bless him. Be present. Love people.
On New Year's Eve day in 2015, I was running out to get a few things for the evening, and as I was walking out of Kroger's, I noticed the gentle older homeless man that I watch for periodically. I knew that I had some returnable cans in my car, so I went to my car and get the bag of cans and bring them to him. He was unassuming - standing by his bike packed with bundles. It is bitter cold and he has snot running from his nose. I couldn't get the picture out of my mind. "You don't need these?," he asked me. I said, "No, God bless you." He said, "thank you," and went into Kroger to get the return on a bag of cans which would render less than $10. I had a heart for this gentle man, and I prayed, "What can I do for him?" I looked for a way to make his day brighter and ran to get him a specialty coffee while he was in the store and stuck it in his bike basket before he returned. I left, but sat in my car at a distance to watch for him. Funny, I don't think he liked coffee and it probably worried him that someone was close enough to intrude upon the bike that carried his life possessions. I was touched and my heart was moved for this man. "What can I do for him?"
Fast forward a few years.....I am privileged to have become friends with this man. We share coffee now and then and I sometimes look for his bike just to interrupt his day. He is a kind soul - very unassuming and gentle, and has lived outside for a few years now. I am touched with compassion as I hear about his life and his story. Fixing services are not the fix for his condition. At times, I must admit I'm jealous of the simplicity of his existence. I'm happy to spend time with him and look for ways to bless him. Be present. Love people.
