I hadn't seen my homeless friend in about a year. I smiled when he came in to the Youth Center. He stuck out his hand to give me a handshake and I pushed it away and gave him a hug. I was happy that he came back. Our reunion didn't last very long.
He first starting coming to our Youth Center around dinner time. His demeanor was rather gruff and demanding. He would almost growl when he asked when the food would be ready. We served our food smorgasbord style and my friend would be first in line. That became an issue with the young people. Homeless folks can sometimes have an odor that can be pretty strong. He smelled like most homeless folks do. Their clothes are dirty and they lack the necessary items of personal hygiene. We serve a smorgasbord style meal for our snack and dinner. The kids did not want to stand anywhere near someone who had an odor. They did not want to touch the food after he had filled his plate. His hands were clean but they perceived him as a dirty person who could contaminate the food. They gave this homeless man plenty of space. They created space through avoidance. They created space through lack of understanding and compassion. They created segregation between themselves and a person who was hurting.
We began seeking a solution about the unwelcome space of segregation in the food line. At a Food Bank of WNY Seminar, we received some very valuable advice: "Have the homeless man sit down and let the kids serve him." It was an awesome idea and closed the gap between the young people and the homeless dude. When in doubt; seek a compassionate solution.
I had asked my friend what his dream was. He said he wanted to work on a farm. He liked to paint. I also asked him what his birthday was. He said it was August 8. I marked that date down in my phone. We always have birthday cakes that are donated from a local supermarket in our freezer. His birthday was on a weekend when we were closed at the Center. I grabbed a cake and drove around looking for him. I never did find him.
A few weeks later he showed up once again at dinner time. His demeanor was the same, demanding to know when dinner would be ready. I told him about the cake and how I'd gone looking for him. All of a sudden his whole countenance changed. He brightened up knowing that somebody had remembered his birthday. He started asking if he could help us. He wanted to know how he could help. We gave him his cake after dinner and he left. I think I may even have seen a smile. that was the last I saw of him until this week.
He asked me to help him get a roof over his head for the night. I took him to a shelter and told him that I would pick him up at 9am the next morning. I was there exactly at 9am. The lady inside said she was worried about him. She said he looked very sad and that he had left 10 minutes earlier. I went looking for him and never found him. That happened on Friday. I woke up at 4am this morning and prayed for him. He's still on my heart now. He will always stay in my heart.
So why is a sad story a bright spot? Because a homeless man brightened my day. I was able to witness first hand the power of remembering a birthday. I learned how to serve a homeless person with compassion. I miss my friend and I will continue to pray for him. I hope you will pray for him too.
He first starting coming to our Youth Center around dinner time. His demeanor was rather gruff and demanding. He would almost growl when he asked when the food would be ready. We served our food smorgasbord style and my friend would be first in line. That became an issue with the young people. Homeless folks can sometimes have an odor that can be pretty strong. He smelled like most homeless folks do. Their clothes are dirty and they lack the necessary items of personal hygiene. We serve a smorgasbord style meal for our snack and dinner. The kids did not want to stand anywhere near someone who had an odor. They did not want to touch the food after he had filled his plate. His hands were clean but they perceived him as a dirty person who could contaminate the food. They gave this homeless man plenty of space. They created space through avoidance. They created space through lack of understanding and compassion. They created segregation between themselves and a person who was hurting.
We began seeking a solution about the unwelcome space of segregation in the food line. At a Food Bank of WNY Seminar, we received some very valuable advice: "Have the homeless man sit down and let the kids serve him." It was an awesome idea and closed the gap between the young people and the homeless dude. When in doubt; seek a compassionate solution.
I had asked my friend what his dream was. He said he wanted to work on a farm. He liked to paint. I also asked him what his birthday was. He said it was August 8. I marked that date down in my phone. We always have birthday cakes that are donated from a local supermarket in our freezer. His birthday was on a weekend when we were closed at the Center. I grabbed a cake and drove around looking for him. I never did find him.
A few weeks later he showed up once again at dinner time. His demeanor was the same, demanding to know when dinner would be ready. I told him about the cake and how I'd gone looking for him. All of a sudden his whole countenance changed. He brightened up knowing that somebody had remembered his birthday. He started asking if he could help us. He wanted to know how he could help. We gave him his cake after dinner and he left. I think I may even have seen a smile. that was the last I saw of him until this week.
He asked me to help him get a roof over his head for the night. I took him to a shelter and told him that I would pick him up at 9am the next morning. I was there exactly at 9am. The lady inside said she was worried about him. She said he looked very sad and that he had left 10 minutes earlier. I went looking for him and never found him. That happened on Friday. I woke up at 4am this morning and prayed for him. He's still on my heart now. He will always stay in my heart.
So why is a sad story a bright spot? Because a homeless man brightened my day. I was able to witness first hand the power of remembering a birthday. I learned how to serve a homeless person with compassion. I miss my friend and I will continue to pray for him. I hope you will pray for him too.
Thanks for your time.
Go do something nice for somebody.
JLYASDW
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