The Homeless Woman and Her Mysterious Baby


There's a homeless woman who occasionally hangs out in a shopping center. She pushes a shopping cart with one hand, and clutches her "baby" swaddled in a blanket with the other.

Tonight she's dressed in a lightweight sweater, a skirt, and flip flops--oblivious to the 60 degree weather.

She circles the parking lot, calm and content.  She doesn't say a word.  Stroking the baby constantly and gently, she holds the baby close to her heart.  Every now and then, she stops the cart and lifts the blanket slightly to gaze at her bundle of joy.  This goes on for hours.

Most people are afraid of her; others are used to her presence.

Sometimes she rummages through the cart and pulls out a coin purse.  Still clutching her baby with one hand, she parks the cart near the door of a fast food restaurant and goes in.  She usually comes out within minutes without the food.

I've seen her several times, at nighttime and daytime.  During the daytime, she's not clutching her baby and seems more coherent.

She's an unusual homeless woman with mental illness on the streets.  She's extremely calm for someone with a disorder.

Even when the police came to escort her out of one of the fast food restaurants, she remained calm and unaffected.

I can only speculate on why she has a "baby."  When she interacts with the baby, there's a display of motherly love.  The feeling is so intense that it's sad and disconcerting.  Perhaps something traumatic or tragic happened in the past involving a baby.  Another reason could be that she just needs someone to love and hold for comfort.  It must be frightening to be a homeless woman on foot. Nighttime can be a terrifying time.

I did find out what was inside the blanket.  It was a popular stuffed animal.




Note: I gave a little more information than I normally do.  I felt it was necessary for the overall picture.  But please know that every effort was made to protect the identity of the homeless person above.

Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1895 oddsock via photopin cc

You see them on the streets.  You hear them talking incessantly to themselves
or shouting obscenities.  You wonder why they don't get treatment, and where are their families?

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and The Annual Homeless Assessment Report submitted to Congress, there are approximately 610,000 homeless people in America.  An estimated 124,000 of that population suffer from some type of mental illness.

California--the focus of this post--is at the top of that list, with an astonishing homeless population of about 136,800 people.

Another report prepared by a nonprofit named OC Partnership using the 2013 Point-in-Time Assessment, gives a breakdown of the area I'm most familiar with called Orange County.

In Orange County, there are 12,700 homeless people.  Out of that number, an estimated 22 percent have severe mental illnesses.  More than three-quarters of them are unsheltered.

Before you can understand why many people with mental disorders are homeless, it's important to know basic information about the illnesses and the problems of this special group.

The Definition of Mental Illness

The Brain Ars Electronica via photopin cc

The National Alliance on Mental Illness explains that mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person's thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functions.

Although the exact cause of the condition is unknown, research informs us that the disorder may be linked to a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Possible Causes

Some of the possible causes that may contribute to mental illnesses are as follows:

Neurotransmitters Birth Into Being via photopin cc

Biological Factors

• Neurotransmitters - Billions of nerve cells in the brain communicate to each other. They send information to the brain and the body through chemicals called neurotransmitters. When these chemicals malfunction or are off balance, they significantly alter mood and behavior.
• Genetics - Experts believe mental illness tends to run in families. Abnormal genes can be inherited from biological blood relatives and increase the risk of developing the same conditions.  Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, who painted The Scream which appears at the beginning of this post, had mental illness and so did his sister.
• Prenatal Damage - Some evidence shows that disruption of early fetal brain development, or trauma at the time of birth (such as loss of oxygen to the brain) may cause certain mental conditions.

Psychological Factors

Image Credit: Jeremy Brooks via photopin cc

For those of you who live in Orange County, CA, or for those of you who want to see what a ten-year plan to end homelessness looks like, here is the link:

www.ocpartnership.net/images/website/1064/files/final_ten-year_plan_2012_445.pdf

Helen Cameron of Jamboree Housing gave me this link.  She was part of a group who wrote the plan.

Terracotta Warriors in Pits Image Courtesy of Alan J. Stone

Pit 1 - The Infantry

Terracotta Kneeling Archer Image Courtesy of Alan J. Stone

Pit 1, accidentally discovered by the workers in 1974, is the largest of the pits.  Rectangular in shape, it measures approximately 150,000 square feet, or almost the size of three football fields. This section has the majority of the army--the infantry--containing bowmen and crossbowmen.

In battle formation, rows of unarmored standing archers holding crossbows make up the front line.  Behind them are armored kneeling archers. Between the armored archers are war chariots with horses.

Author and Archaeologist Yuan Zhongyi informs us that one line of warriors firing, together with another line kneeling to reload, create a fast moving vanguard and a steady stream of potent fire.

Pit 2 - The Calvary

Archaeologists discovered Pit 2 in 1976 slightly north of Pit 1.  It is L-shaped and half the size of the first pit.  This section is the calvary comprised of largely archers carrying crossbows.  Saddled horses with riders carrying bows and melee weapons are also a part of this group.

As in Pit 1, the unarmored warriors in the front rows are standing; the warriors behind them are kneeling.

The main force of this section is composed of eighty war chariots whose purpose is to overwhelm the enemy.  Almost all of the chariots have two warriors and a charioteer--except for six chariots that each have a warrior, a charioteer, and an officer.

Pit 3 - The Command Post

Pit 3, located east of Pit 2, was also discovered by archaeologists in 1976.

War Chariot With Horses Image Credit: JULIAN MASON via photopin cc

Smaller than the other two and U-shaped, it is the command post.  Inside this section are sixty-eight warriors, some of which stand in a face-to-face formation near high-ranking officers as if to protect them.  There are also nine armored generals and a grand chariot with horses. Researchers believe that the grand chariot may have been for the commander of the army.

Terracotta General Image Credit: PeterThoeny via photopin cc

The generals of this group wear bright colored scarves, tassels tied to their armors, different headgear, and complex hairstyles. They carry no weapons, ride in chariots, and beat out signal codes on large drums to the warriors.








The Mausoleum and the Burial Chamber

First Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi Image Credit: Erin Van V via photopin cc

The Twenty-Something Homeless Population


Months ago I was approached by a homeless woman in her early twenties in the parking lot.  She wanted spare change so she could go into a motel room to take a shower.

For me, giving or not giving money requires serious thinking.  On one hand, the majority of the homeless on the streets have substance abuse issues.  I don't want to enable them.  And on the other hand, a shower is a basic necessity and a luxury in the homeless world.

On this particular day I didn't have money to give.  The decision was automatically made for me.  However, I sensed the young woman needed a shower, so I did the next best thing--I gave her resources of shower facilities for the homeless.

After I gave her the information, we talked about her homelessness and the reasons for the large twenty-something homeless population.

She informed me that she had to leave home due to family conflicts and unresolved issues.  She was no stranger to homelessness, and spent years on and off the streets.  She did some "couch surfing," but eventually landed on the streets 24/7.  There was no other place to go.

As for the reasons for the twenty-something homeless population, she believes many people her age have drug-related issues, hold vastly different views from their parents, and experience constant friction at home.  Home is a battlefield, and the young adults either leave or get kicked out.



Note: Every effort was made to protect the identity and respect the privacy of the person above. 

Disclaimer: The content regarding to give or not to give to the homeless is only my opinion and is not meant to sway your decision.  That decision rests solely with you.

A Tribute to a Courageous Homeless Lady

I met Christine (not her real name) on the street months ago.  She was homeless on foot.  She must have been in her mid-to-late sixties.  She was friendly and cheerful.  If it weren't for the scarf that covered the majority of one side of her face, you wouldn't have known she was very ill.

As we talked, Christine kept pulling down the scarf to make sure no part of that side was exposed.  She told me she had a malignant tumor that was gross looking, and she didn't want me to see it.

Christine said the doctors did everything they could for her, and she was at peace with her situation.  The tumor was growing and oozing, and she was biding her time.

After Christine left, I sobbed.  She was a lovely woman, and it saddened me greatly that she had to or chose to spend the rest of her days alone on the street.

I saw Christine two more times and after that she didn't return to the area.  I talked with several homeless people who knew her, and they had not seen her in a while.  They assumed the worst.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Christine, a very courageous lady.




Note: Numerous details were omitted to respect the privacy and protect the identity of the homeless person above.  

I share this brief story with you because most people do not hear about the tragedies that happen in the homeless life.

                                                       
                 
                                                          "Tough times never last, but tough 
                                                           people do!"
                                                                      
                                                                               - Robert H. Schuller



It takes a great deal of strength to endure homelessness.  The harsh, unrelenting lifestyle erodes the body and the mind.  Whether the homeless are on foot or in cars, many of them live life on a moment by moment basis, struggling to get through the day.

Homelessness is extremely challenging.  It is a life of tribulations.  For many of the homeless, the longer they are on the streets the more difficult it is for them to endure the lifestyle and its conditions.  To meet the demands of the homeless life, they must bend, stretch, and push themselves beyond their limits.  In time, surviving homelessness becomes a battle of the body, the mind, the emotions, and the spirit.  It is an inner conflict of how much the homeless can take before they break.  It is a fight for strength and endurance.

The following are the four battles that the homeless go through on a continuous basis:

1.  The Battle of the Body

The physical effects caused by the weather, the lack of basic necessities, periodic sickness, and sleep deprivation bring considerable burden and challenges to the homeless.  They place big demands on the body that is already under a lot of stress.  The body has to go into battle and fight to overextend itself, and to keep dealing with prolonged periods of discomfort and exhaustion. Eventually the body learns to live with the physical effects and ignore its needs.

Here are some physical effects that come with the lifestyle and the territory:

Weather Conditions, Lack of Necessities, and Sickness - The homeless are continuously exposed to weather conditions--heat, cold, and rain.  Of the three elements, the most difficult to deal with are the heat and the cold.  Rain is a major problem, but it is more of a nuisance compared to the other two.

In the summer months the homeless focus on getting through the day.  They move around constantly, looking for a shady spot or a cool place to escape the heat.  Dehydration and heat exhaustion are common.  Persevering the heat is one problem; handling the physical discomfort from the heat is another.

Since the homeless lack basic necessities and access to showers, they have periods of uncleanliness.  Soiled clothing, dirty hair, and body odor are unbearable. They are offensive to others as well as to the homeless.  It takes extraordinary tolerance to live with uncomfortable conditions that become more unpleasant over time.  The homeless learn to put up with it and press on.

The winter months are no better.  In fact, they are worse.  Trying to stay warm while living outdoors is close to impossible.  The homeless contend with the cold, the wind chill factor, and the fog.  Getting through the night is a long, dreadful ordeal.  And when the homeless are sick, it compounds their problems.

Imagine what it would be like if you were sick with a terrible cold or the flu, unable to stay warm, without medicine, and sleeping outdoors in 40 degree weather. (It is colder in other states and in other parts of the world.)  The homeless go through this every winter.

Sleep Deprivation - In addition to weather conditions, the homeless also deal with sleep deprivation.  Getting a good night's sleep in the homeless world is unattainable.  Street life is not conducive to sleep.  Street lights, car alarms going off, the parking lot sweeper driving up and down the lot, the trash collector emptying the dumpster, and more make it hard to rest.

As a result of the above, the homeless suffer from inadequate sleep and fatigue. Sleep deprivation hinders the ability to function and cope, making life more difficult.  And because the body is depleted from a lack of sleep and rest, fatigue sets in.  Sometimes the fatigue is so severe that the homeless fall asleep on the sidewalk in broad daylight.

2.  The Battle of the Mind

To a large degree, how well the homeless fare in this lifestyle depends on fortitude and attitude.  Because homelessness is overbearing, the homeless must be mentally tough and possess the right attitude.

There is a constant battle to stay strong and not give up.  With the following fortitude and attitude, the homeless can persevere and not get consumed by the lifestyle:

Fortitude - According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, New Edition, fortitude is defined as "strength of mind that enables one to meet danger or bear pain or adversity with courage."  This definition summarizes the kind of mental toughness the homeless need to sustain them.

Fortitude helps the homeless face the dangers of street life, endure pain and suffering, control overwhelming emotions, stay in faith, and live in hard times. It is fortitude that gives them the mental strength to transcend their situation and to keep moving forward.

Fortitude is the first line of defense against homelessness.  A positive attitude is the next line of defense.

Attitude - As with everything in life, and especially when it comes to homelessness, attitude is the determiner.  Attitude sets the tone for how the homeless go through the experience.  It is the difference between seeing light at the end of the tunnel and feeling doomed.

The mindset of the homeless and the way they manage their problems make all the difference in the world.  If there is a positive attitude, there is an uplifted spirit and a better outlook.  If there is openness, there is possibility.  If there is flexibility, there is adaptability.  And if there is persistence, there is a good chance of success.

3.  The Battle of the Emotions

Homelessness produces turmoil and a wide range of emotions.  The emotions are so overwhelming that they need to be contained.  If left alone, they can cause more damage or take the homeless down the wrong path.  To prevent this from happening, many of the homeless take control of their emotions to minimize further damage and to deal with the issues at hand.

Since the homeless handle many different issues, they go on a roller coaster ride that takes them from sadness and depression to frustration and anger.  They grieve over the loss of their homes and at the same time, they are confronted by the stigma and the misconceptions.

Without a Home and the Hardships - The majority of the turmoil and the emotions come from being without a home.  A home is an integral part of a person.  It is an anchor, a base, a refuge.  It is a special place that nurtures, protects, and gives rest.  There is great emotional attachment to this personal space.

When it is gone, there is a huge void.  There is no place to go.  No reprieve.  No structure in life.  No stability.  No privacy.  No safety.  No normalcy.

The homeless are lost and disoriented, and they become nomads.  They roam aimlessly, and the new lifestyle is intensely painful.  They feel deep sadness and have long periods of depression.  Mood swings are a given.  Crying jags are the norm.  When these emotions subside, frustration and anger follow.

The Stigma and the Misconceptions- After the homeless deal with the loss of their homes, they will have to take on more issues.  Issues that come with the homeless life.  The stigma and the misconceptions are perhaps the most tragic consequences of homelessness.  The homeless have to maneuver their way around these barriers.

When a person becomes homeless, he or she is automatically thrown into an exclusive group and isolated from society.  From that time on, a stigma will permeate every inch of that person's life.  Whether that person is at fault for homelessness or not, it does not matter.  A disgraceful label has already been established.

For the homeless, and especially those who are not at fault, this means living down the unfair stigma that sticks to them like glue.  The homeless will have to justify every word, every move, and every plan.  This frustrates and angers the homeless who already have a platter of problems.

Throughout the decades, there has been a stigma attached to a homeless person with a substance abuse problem or mental illness.  This type of person has lived on the streets for a long time and has been the most visible.

While the majority of the homeless on the streets today are still comprised of people with addictions and mental illnesses, there are subgroups emerging that are changing the face and meaning of homelessness.

Since the recession, many different types of people have become homeless. There are homeless young adults, homeless veterans, homeless elderly, the working homeless who live in shelters and motels, and the homeless with chronic hardships.

They can be seen in parks, in libraries, in churches, standing in line for fast food, at the grocery store, and on the freeway.  They drive Jeep Cherokees, Explorers, 4Runners, Lexus, and an occasional Range Rover or Audi.

The point is the homeless population is now a diverse group of people, and the old stigma does not apply.

4.  The Battle of the Spirit

Image credit: sgroi via photopin cc

Hi, everyone:

I'm afraid I have bad news.  Due to some important personal matters that need my undivided attention, I have to put the blog on hiatus.  I don't know exactly how long I will be away.

During the hiatus, I will finish the new post (it's almost done) and publish it.  But after that piece, I won't be writing for probably a few months.

I apologize for any inconvenience.



Bev

About four years ago, I was flipping through the TV channels when I came across a handsome, solo violinist in concert.  He was dressed in faded blue jeans, a T-shirt, and a blue jacket.  He had a bit of stubble, and his blond hair was tied back in a short ponytail.

Not only did his casual appearance stop me in my tracks, his music also had my undivided attention.  It wasn't entirely classical, and he was backed by his band and an orchestra.  As I continued to listen, I realized that David Garrett was a crossover classical artist, and what I was listening to had to be a fusion of classical elements with rock or pop.  Garrett was performing a track from one of his albums, David Garrett, and the music was an amazing blend of two popular and well respected genres.

If that weren't enough, I was even more transfixed by Garrett's outstanding command of his instrument and his physical ability to play at stunning speed. The speed and precision in which he played some of his pieces were phenomenal.  (He is in the Guinness World Records for playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" in 66 seconds.  Now that's lightning speed!)

I was so in awe of Garrett's incredible talents that the next day I ran, not walked, to the nearest music store and bought the CD.  I became a big fan after listening to it several times.

The Crossover Music

On his CD, David Garrett, the crossover violinist did his own arrangements and integrated classical elements into songs by popular recording artists and rock bands.  For example, Garrett fused Mozart's "Turkish March" with a Michael Jackson song.  And on another piece, Garrett fused Paganini's "Caprice No. 24" with a Metallica song.

Garrett also did his own interpretations of the theme song from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean," and from Vivaldi's "Summer" and Bach's "Air."  In addition, he included a track of his own composition.

Who is This Virtuoso Extraordinaire?
Mari Smith via photopin cc
Mari Smith via photopin cc

Works Cited:  

www.david-garrett.com/us/about/
      Retrieved 4 Jan. 2014. 

"David Garrett Interview."  Time Out Chicago  10 Apr. 2009.
     www.timeout.com.hk/music/features/22486/david-garrett-interview.html
     Retrieved 4 Jan. 2014.

Wu, Dorothy.  "DAVID GARRETT - Evolution of an Icon, Metamorphosis of an
     Artist."  Notes on The Road  6 Nov. 2012.  
     www.notesontheroad.com/david-garrett.html
     Retrieved 10 Jan. 2014.