Her name was Christina

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

wmw999

And based on my experience in giving away coats, it probably lasted with that guy for awhile, until it was either stolen or sold. But it kept him warm for that time, and then he had to figure out how to get another.

Long-term planning isn't everyone's forte

Wendy P.

Remember the gentlemen on the streets of NYC last year, no shoes in the cold weather? The cop who got him boots and socks? IIRC, the guy was shoeless again within a week or even a few days? Weird backstory to that one but still.... sad.

Always be kinder than you feel.

[JohnMitchell 14]

Sorry about your loss, and your friend losing her life. I hope the dog owners responsible for this are held accountable.

Thank you for doing what you do. I've only done a little here and there for the homeless. You've really stepped up to the plate.

[airtwardo 6]

They all have a story to tell and some are just heartbreaking...

Last week I was driving my truck from Ca. to Tx. - pretty tired by west Texas & since I had my Sassy dog with me I was stopping every hour or so at rest areas.

Kickin' back in the truck I was approach by an unshaven hispanic guy in dirty clothes asking for any spare change for gas money.

I didn't really have a lotta cash with me so I kind of blew him off but handed him a turkey sandwich from my cooler. He 'hit' every car along the row asking ,and I kind of kept an eye on him.

I watched with interest as he walked back to an old Taurus with Nevada plates...broke the sandwich in half and handed the halfs to two young girls in the back seat.

Okay...right or wrong, in my mind that changes things. I walked over and asked what was going on.

The girls were obviously his daughters, they were obviously living in that car and had been for a while...I asked them all back over to the truck where I had sandwiches, chips, candy & soda.

Getting to know these people during our little impromptu picnic was eyeopener.

The guy had been working on a degree in finance while also working in retail to take care of his family...he was also in the National Guard as a water purification specialist - called up to the sandbox, he left school and his family. Came back to nothing.

Wife split I guess & he had to hunt for the kids who were in state care...got them back but couldn't make it starting again from zero.

They were on their way to Fla where he has a sister who was going to put airbeds in her garage for them, and he could hopefully get back on his feet.

NOT at all what I'd expected & I was mentally kicking myself for the whole 'first impression' thing.

Told him I couldn't help much but I could help...they followed me to the next exit where I filled their tank and let the girls shop for some food at Chevron mini-mart - covered that with a credit card & gave him the 40 bucks cash I had.

They were all quite grateful...but in reality I knew my 'help' wouldn't even be enough to get them across Texas. I was feeling kinda bad about that - and about their situation.

Heck I was dragging a uhaul trailer full of 'things' that suddenly seemed even less important than ever.

As we were leaving, he shook my hand again and thanked me...we were both a bit uncomfortable - or maybe I was uncomfortable enough for both of us...I was kind of dodging eye contact but this man looked straight at me still holding my hand until I looked back.

You don't believe in God do you, he said.

No, I really don't I answered back.

You 'really' should, he sent you to us today...


Gave me a LOT to think about the rest of the way home...I hope they are safe and made it to Fla.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[LuckyMcSwervy 0]

God damn it. That made me cry.

You are an angel.

Always be kinder than you feel.

[airtwardo 6]

LuckyMcSwervy

God damn it. That made me cry.

You are an angel.

No, not me...those girls are angels.

So unfair they have to go through these difficulties.

Good people caught up in a bad situation, that in truth I don't know that I would have the strength to deal with.

When we see someone 'homeless' it often brings to mind a certain stereotype - so often there is way more to it.

On a basic human level...this guy is a better man than I, luck & circumstance have me fed & warm - I do think about that sometimes, but probably not enough.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[JohnMitchell 14]

airtwardo

On a basic human level...this guy is a better man than I, luck & circumstance have me fed & warm - I do think about that sometimes, but probably not enough.

You and I have both worked for what we have, but have been lucky enough to have not had fate take it all away. Many very decent people are not so lucky. Fate has stripped them of practically everything.

Thanks for such a great tale of compassion and not judging. I wish I could have been there with you to help fill the tank and help them on their way. I'll try to keep an more open mind in the future.

[ILUVCHUTERS 1]

JohnMitchell

***
On a basic human level...this guy is a better man than I, luck & circumstance have me fed & warm - I do think about that sometimes, but probably not enough.

You and I have both worked for what we have, but have been lucky enough to have not had fate take it all away. Many very decent people are not so lucky. Fate has stripped them of practically everything.

Thanks for such a great tale of compassion and not judging. I wish I could have been there with you to help fill the tank and help them on their way. I'll try to keep an more open mind in the future.
That story brought tears to my eyes.

When I see homeless people, I think "there but for the grace of God go I."

Thank you for posting this story, Wendy. I'm sorry about the loss of your friend.

[format 0]

davjohns

Sorry a light has gone out in your world, Wendy.

I knew homeless people when I was a cop. They could be very helpful. I would take them to eat and sit and talk.

When I was practicing law in a downtown area, they would be in the park square often. Some of them had very interesting stories. I didn't know any that truly had no options. That was just their choice.

What was that? Is this a forum candid camera on?

What goes around, comes later.

[wmw999 2,123]

Quote

You and I have both worked for what we have, but have been lucky enough to have not had fate take it all away. Many very decent people are not so lucky. Fate has stripped them of practically everything.

This. It also made it much harder for some people than for us.

Doesn't make it OK to be lazy, useless, whiny, or anything else. But remembering that makes it easier to take each person as an individual, rather than judging them based on that moment's feelings.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[legalart 0]

Although I don't know you personally, I been reading your posts for seven or so years. You seem to be a nice dude. As you must now realize saying this in a memorial post was inappropriate. We used to have fun here, seems politics has infected everything, sad shit.

[turtlespeed 212]

legalart

Although I don't know you personally, I been reading your posts for seven or so years. You seem to be a nice dude. As you must now realize saying this in a memorial post was inappropriate. We used to have fun here, seems politics has infected everything, sad shit.

Thanks. I mentioned that in a later post.
If I hadn't waited, I could have deleted it, but the time frame lapsed.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[kuai43 7]

Andy9o8

- This thread has absolutely nothing to do with pit bull dogs, except in the "six degrees of separation" you play in your head.

Well, you're wrong. It was two pits who killed her.

Every fight is a food fight if you're a cannibal

Goodness is something to be chosen. When a man cannot choose, he ceases to be a man. - Anthony Burgess