So I just had got done with my bi weekly prayer and share meeting and a couple of friends and I decided to go downtown to Red Robin., when this whino looking homeless dude who in the words of Imago looked like he would try to have sex with us walked up to us all hostile like asking for money. I kind of laughed and said well what would the money be for and he just got this look like Robin Williams in that one movie the Fisher King, and I felt this wave of calm and pity, so invited this homeless guy to dinner with us and treated him to bottomless fries and a mushroom burger. He smelled awful but was gratefull for the food and I got to asking him his name and how he ended up the way he did and it was a fascinating story. This made me want to write a book of conversations with the homeless. I think I'm going to try to make conversations with the homeless a regular bi weekly deal.

Very cool. I would like to hear more.

According to studies, the majority of homeless have mental health problems. There's also substance abuse and most times I have someone approach me, there's a smell of alcohol. My children attended a school that provided food for the needy. The adult homeless men were many times seen tossing the canned food on the ground as they were leaving.
I have a soft spot for anyone with a dog. I'll go to the nearest grocery store and buy food for both (raw hamburger for the dog) and track them down to give it to them.
I can usually tell if it's a druggie hitting me up. They tend to be with another person lurking in the background.
The city passed an ordinance banning beggars at intersections. The guys who got the most $$ had the sign: "Why lie? I need a drink!"
[Edited 2/6/07 7:48am]

That's very nice of you

I have one that will always stick in my mind. It took place a few months ago at the park. It was very moving and I will always remember him.

He was displaced from Katrina - he was from Mississippi.
We sat and talked for over 2 hours- we cried and laughed and he said I kept him from drinking that night which was the first night since Katrina that he had not been drunk to numb the pain.

I think of him often especially last weekend when I met a friend of mine at that park. I looked for him. I imagine he has moved on- he hated Florida and the small run down crack infested hotel he was staying in.

I appreciate the fact that he shared his story with me. It was heart breaking- he put a lot of things in to perspective for me.
Bless him on his journey back home- he had plans to make it back there some day.

karmatornado said:

Seriously, write that book.

Mr Wendel, Yeahhhh,

So what was his story?

retina said:

yeah, i wanna know too

Shanti1 said:

karmatornado said:

Awww, that's so sweet of you to invite the homeless man to lunch, and to buy him his meal. I'm sure he appreciated it very much. I have given food to homeless people on the streets. I used to do it all the time when I worked in the downtown area. There are a lot of homeless people down there, which is unfortunate.
[Edited 2/6/07 10:51am]

xplnyrslf said:

I've heard that too.

SureThing said:

I remember that song.

Shanti1 said:

Wow. That's beautiful, extremely real and too sad for words.

SureThing said:

U think of a song for every thread.

karmatornado said:

what was the story?

Slave2daGroove said:

Yes it was sad- it was crushing at times. He never did ask me for any money or any thing really just for me to listen to his story. He said he appreciated that I was still sympathetic to all of the ppl that were effected by Katrina. He said that he runs into so many ppl who feel that it is not their problem and have moved on. I tried to express my sincere and deepest sympathy for the way he has been treated and the things he has been through since the storm hit.
I was at the park that day to reflect- I have some memories there so I went to think alone. Then Jim came into my life and he made me laugh which amazed me that he felt the need to share his story and make me laugh.
So- yes it was too sad for words but we both walked away from that experience feeling a little better I think. He was a determined man so I feel that he is finding his way- hopefully.

ThreadCula said:

You don't even know. I hardly ever post them, but I really do.