Hi folks....As I write this, I write this sadness. I am not going to make this about me, but I will say this. This past week and a half has been very tough on me as it has been for many people...Still, even I was really not prepared for what I saw this morning on my way to work..
A few months back as I was walking in my own neighborhood I saw a gentleman reading a book. He did not look homeless to me as he was dressed decently, no shopping cart, matching good shoes, hair looked
OK and was simply sitting under a tree with a bus stop next to him and others...He was simply enjoying the day reading his book. As My son and I approached him, I said. ''Hi, My name is Javier and this is my son Daniel. What is your name?'' He Replied ''Steven''...I then asked him how was he doing today, to which he replied '' not so good''
(he used many bad words)...Well, we listened to him for a little while and then offered him a
care package...That little act of love meant the world to this fellow. First thing he was going to do was brush his teeth...
Over the next few months, I have have gotten to know him more and more...Not on an intimate level, because our
conversations are never really very long. Usually about 5 minutes, sometimes more...But this I do know about him...He loves to read. He loves Sci
Fi and
shootem up books. The SALVATION army in my area lets him read the books and he takes them back and exchanges them. I have figured out that he lost him family and home. He has taken up smoking but refuses to drink. He is very well spoken and very respectful. He keeps the area where he now lives (the steps of the Free Methodist church) very clean....
So for the past few months I have been taking him food and things
regularly. The first time I took him something to eat other than what was in the care package, was a chicken pot pie. My wife makes those with rice and are very good...So I asked my wife if I could take him one and some rice to which
she replied...Of course you can, why do you even ask...Anyway, I took him the food and the smile that came over his face was a blessing to me and my son like I had not seen in a very long time. He said ''OH WOW, A HOT MEAL'' and proceeded to to savor a meal, I take for
granite nearly every single day...Since then, I take him hot meals when ever I can and when I see him. Sometimes I will take him a little
Cesar's Pizza or a Jumbo jack meal or home cooked food...I have been pondering ways to help get him a job or something, but in truth, I have not done more than ponder....
Well, today, I saw him while I was on my way to work and he looked awful...Really ''
awful'' He was also pushing a shopping cart with his few belongings in it.. Up to this point, he refused to have a shopping cart, so I was shocked!! It looked as if he had just given up on life...My heart was broken in that minute and is still aching for him...I can't help how I feel...It is even hard for me to write this...So why write? In hopes that some of my readers will perhaps take the time to help out one person in their neighborhood. I was ready to give up, but perhaps I need to try harder...It could very well be me pushing that cart one day...May God bless you folks today and God bless our
veterans, many of which are homeless...
Image above taken with K20D and that is NOT Steven...I have never thought to take a picture of Steven...I don't know why.
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