Life with those once Homeless

Today a college group had promised to take our residents bowling. The Preakness is a lower-economic apartment complex with a pool that is broken and 2 roofs we were told need to be replaced today. At the last minute the college students canceled the outing. I was upset as these folks do not have the money to go bowling or any small pleasure Americans take for granted. These young sorority sisters did not know what they were doing: building expectations then disappointing the residents once again.

Ginny and Carrie directors of the program immediately went to plan B: a BBQ and cook out. The afternoon was cool but sunny so tables could be set up on the porch of the club house so residents could socialize. Some of the apartment folks were invited to come. The owner of the apartments was in from Boston and remembered our dinner was on Wednesday so she dropped in, waited on folks and cleaned up too. She really bonded with the residents when she met them in the fall and was very happy to see "old friends."

JR and Dave did the cooking on the grill and it was the first time I saw JR who is facing major surgery really look happy. I thought "we need to do this all summer, once a week." I spent a long time talking with Walter who is a mystic, for example; "I was recently in the library and saw two men sitting on the bench on the third floor. I knew I was supposed to speak to them." Walter went over began a conversion, "I know you are planning to do something. Please do not do it." He found out that they were planning to commit suicide. He was able to convince them to seek out help at the Catholic Action.

What is amazing to him was he had attempted to commit suicide after returning from the service and unable to find a job to take care of his wife and newborn child. He went to the bridge over the Ohio River and jumped in. On the way to water which Walter said was, "Like hitting a cement wall" he heard, "It is not your time yet." He hit the water and is the first person to live doing so.

During the Christmas store, a local charity, Walter was security and one night kept a robbery from happening. He was awarded a good sum of money, interviewed on TV etc. Walter had plans on purchasing a car with his reward. However his son who does not have health insurance had a serious auto wreck. While driving with his daughter he had to have a seizure "He just froze at the wheel and we hit a wall." This son is 38 and has raised 3 daughters on his own. Two of the children are entering college this fall. Without a thought Walter turned his reward money over to his son to cover the bills.

Walter said, "It is more important to be good, to care for family than to have material possessions." Would that America were as wise as this one-who-has-been homeless is. I felt graced to be in his presence. Walter asked me to pray for him before he left, I felt I needed his prayers.

Michael who had been a brick layer all his life raised five daughters one now a lawyer, one a PHD. Michael spent a long time sharing about the residual suffering from a stroke he had about 4 years ago. "People don't know what it is like. They call me "slow poke." Some days I can't hold a glass, other days I do fine." Michael walks with a cane and loves to read. He is proud of his daughters and he does have his favorites. Michael said, "I set limits with the older girls, but the youngest named Michelle can do no wrong. "She tells me, "I am named after you daddy" and I can't say a thing because she is like me." But his eyes are shining as he talks to me and his voice is strong as he speaks with love in his voice.

I like Michael and it hurts me to hear him say, "It is so hard, I want to do, but I can't do things that used to be easy."

Everyone enjoyed the evening of dinner-hot dogs and beans; some played dominoes. I thought "Those young women lost a lot by not enjoying the company of these very special men and women, my friends."

Blessings everyone. I hope you reach out to those around you and use your gifts to build community with the love who is Jesus.