The Unexpected

Like everyone, having something happen unexpectedly can be good, or it can be bad, and very often it is a bit of both.

On Tuesday as I was loading the car to go over to my folks, a youngish man came up our drive on a bicycle. Somewhat sheepishly he asked if we had any chores or work he could do for cash or food.

I like to help out people when I can, so we came up with weeds that needed killing and we cooked him a hot meal. We had an old backpack, and we gathered a few supplies. Hopefully it was all things he can use.

During the course of listening to him describe living in a tent, being rousted by the police, having people burn him out, and the perils of trying to stay hidden, I gathered quite a few notes. Overall, he left an interesting impression of how uncomfortable it must be to be homeless.

We didn’t ask any questions, but he volunteered that he was passed 30, had outlived his child and had crumpled his previous life, like a used piece of paper- walking away from everything. From what he said, he had been living homeless for more than 2 years.

We wish him well and hope he finds the help he needs.