This afternoon I rode my bike downtown to the library to pick up an origami book and Off the Books: The Underground Economy of the Urban Poor. On the way there I ran into Chuck #2, another homeless guy whose sister died last week from either an overdose or a pimp. His sister wasn’t technically on the street, but she might as well have been. He said the pimp was at the funeral and he wanted to kill him, but he didn’t “by the grace of God”.
We talked about that for a while – or rather, he talked, I just listened. Most of the time, the homeless people I talk to don’t believe me when I tell them I don’t believe in God, and he was really hurting so I didn’t want to get into a discussion about it. I figure if believing in God is helping him through his sisters death, then by all means, he should believe in God.
He said that a few days ago, a do-gooder Christian came to the park and was witnessing to people. He said the guy asked him if he was saved, to which he replied “Let me show you where I sleep. If I can sleep on a sidewalk, behind a bush, then I have to have faith in something that will keep me safe through the night.”
We talked for about thirty minutes, there on the sidewalk a block away from the library. I gave him three hugs and told him I loved him. That’s all I’ve got to give; hugs and love.
P.S. Homeless folks People aren’t allowed in the downtown library if they are carrying an oversized bag with clothes in it. Although I walked right in with my messenger bag and bike helmet, no questions asked.
P.P.S. The downtown library has Make! *and* Mother Jones. I was simultaneously disappointed and excited that they didn’t have The SUN, which is my absolute favorite magazine. Now I *have* to renew my subscription.
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