Nobody knows... Nobody cares

“When everything you own
Will fit in a paper sack
No one notice you leavin'
Nobody ask when you comin' back..."

“Quarter Moon” – Kathy Mattea

It’s a song that could be interpreted as being about a) a shady character, or b) a homeless person.

TLMK and I have supported our local homeless shelter for several years. Volunteered there to assemble 50 new bunk beds that doubled the capacity of the shelter, have made and served meals to the clients on various occasions, and have contributed clothes, blankets, money, etc. over the years.

I feel I have not done enough.

Today, after taking one last look through the local Circuit City (closing and merchandise being liquidated), I was about to head home when I saw an older gentleman walking along the side of the road carrying two rather heavy aluminum tire rims. And struggling to do so.

Phred was mostly empty, and I had time.

I had to get turned around and head east to be able to pull up next to him. I rolled down the window and asked where he was headed. He said, “Thanks, but I’m headed west.” I said “So am I eventually. Toss those wheels inside and I’ll take you there.”

He hesitated for a moment, then got up, opened Phred’s side door and hefted the rims inside. And took the passenger’s seat. “Mister, my knee appreciates this,” he said.

I took him to a salvage yard where he sold the rims for scrap. I told him I’d wait for him and then take him wherever he needed to go.

He came back grumbling that he could only get 12 cents a pound for them. “Used to be I could get just better than a buck a pound.” I asked where I could take him next. Burger King was his answer.

So I took him to Burger King, since it was obvious that he had just earned his lunch money. He noticed a bunch of clothes in the back – which are going to Catholic Outreach. I told him I was on disability, had time on my hands and could do these things. I offered him any of the men’s shirts he wanted.

He said “Thanks, but I don’t take charity. I get by. A friend lets me sleep on his couch in the basement. I can walk just fine, as long as I don’t have to carry anything too heavy. And I live close to Goodwill, so I can get clothes cheap there.” The conditions of his clothes and his odor belied his words.

I told him it wasn’t charity, but rather a kindness. The shirts will be given away free, so help yourself.

He hesitated, then took two polo shirts. Said, “I’m obliged.”

He refused to let me buy him lunch, or even give him some cash. “Thank you, but I don’t take charity. I earn my keep.”

And so I dropped him off and left. He never gave me his name.

I came home with a lot of thoughts. One was that I’ve seen enough of the homeless people who are nightly visitors to the shelter to know that they choose this lifestyle and manipulate the system. But second, I was reminded that there are those who have just found themselves in this situation due to circumstances beyond their control, but still have their integrity and their pride.

I guess I’ve been taught again that every person deserves respect and kindness. No matter their circumstance in life.

And that I have not done enough.