Periodically, I'd like to share what I see on the streets. It will give you a glimpse of the homeless condition and its population. Images will not be used because the posts will be entries from my homeless journal. Please feel free to comment.
An Act of Human Kindness
I recently saw a homeless man in his twenties help a homeless, elderly woman to a public restroom. She had trouble walking and she was holding on to his arm. She was dressed in layered clothing and must have been in her mid-to-late seventies. She was petite, under 100 pounds, and well-kept.
This was an uncommon scene on the streets for me, so I was touched by the young man's compassion. It was an act of human kindness, a gesture she undoubtedly appreciated.
When I walked into the restroom, she had already started washing up. I said good morning, and she acknowledged me with a warm smile. Then she turned around and continued to wash up. I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to ask her how she was surviving and how she became homeless. But it was obvious that she didn't want to talk. Like most homeless women, she was in and out of the restroom as quickly as possible.
I thought about her for days. I've seen many homeless women, but none of them were close to her age. She seemed like a sweet, elderly lady. Someone's grandma.
What is she doing on the streets?? It breaks my heart to see a frail, elderly lady living on the streets.
