tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post55058182583754829..comments2023-11-03T03:48:05.784-05:00Comments on My Life Interrupted: Homeless in MinnesotaLorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04441204804740501624noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-87973113555305015872013-06-15T13:49:50.826-05:002013-06-15T13:49:50.826-05:00I'm in a homeless crisis now with my four kids...I'm in a homeless crisis now with my four kids. We have slept on the streets one night and then thankfully friends were able to come up with hotel money for a few nights. This is beautiful. Unfortunately I don't think many of us think about it until it happens to us. Paradymehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01561087550371238379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-72069571516734917492012-05-06T07:21:12.907-05:002012-05-06T07:21:12.907-05:00this is another good reason to over throw the gove...this is another good reason to over throw the government they don't care about the people in this country their to busy trying to impress other countries by giving them moneyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04605323773319635479noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-4000767915725460812010-12-20T13:43:47.563-06:002010-12-20T13:43:47.563-06:00It is very sad. We are taught not to make eye con...It is very sad. We are taught not to make eye contact, if you are to cross paths with homeless. Sadly you will never know how a homeless person could react. One person's poor reaction will cause enough of a reputation to ruin people's chances of ever reaching out again.<br /><br />I grew up in the suburbs just outside Philly. We frequently went into Center City, where seeing homeless people was constant. I had mostly bad experiences and I was convinced it was best to ignore them.<br /><br />The other day while visiting DC, a man approached me very timidly inside of a Starbucks and I gave him money for coffee. I was certain he was homeless or at least destitute enough to beg inside a Starbucks. He brought me back change and took off before I could tell him to keep it. I didn't report him for bothering me.<br /><br />I do frequent cities and metropolitan areas and I can tell you these people are often mentally ill and unpredictable.<br /><br />The best way to ever help these people is in a safe environment through an organized group. They can make sure the money and food goes towards people who need it and offering them real assistance to get off the streets which can be just as dangerous to them as well, being surrounded by unstable people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-81530512547155262682010-12-15T19:09:58.409-06:002010-12-15T19:09:58.409-06:00Coming over from The Smitten Image. This is a ver...Coming over from The Smitten Image. This is a very thought provoking post.<br /><br />Unfortunately, if you live in a larger city you learn to ignore the homeless. It's a matter of survival. You get hit up for money just to buy booze. Or you meet a lovely gentleman like I did while studying in London who threw pennies at me because I would never stop and give him money. No, because whenever I walk by, you start swearing at me. Get Sober. You learn fast to tell the homeless from the scam artists. Here in Bozeman, no one looks homeless. The police have asked people not give money because more than likely they are part of a ring that scams people, not actually someone who is homeless. Sad. <br /><br />Not all of my interactions with the homeless end with such heartlessness however. Once while living in southern california, we encountered a homeless couple who were doing their laundry at the laundromat. We'd seen them around town. And like your homeless people they were probably in their 70s somewhere. They seemed harmless enough. They went outside to sit on the bench because it's always nice in souther california. About a minute later we hear some shouting and look up to see some teenage boys tossing eggs at them. These eggs were hitting the window so hard I thought it would break. I think the gentleman got hit so he probably covered the lady. Like those brats would know anything about chivalry. We went outside to make sure they were OK. And wanted to know if they would like to call the cops. They said they would but they used all their money to do the laundry. We loaned them a quarter for the pay phone. It was the least we could do. We also helped describe what happened to the cops. I hope those kids got what they deserved. Somehow I doubt it, though.VM Sehy Photographyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03832671940615894037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-75482214537603059962010-12-15T17:23:35.495-06:002010-12-15T17:23:35.495-06:00You weren't too late with the woman in the par...You weren't too late with the woman in the parking lot. You were just in time. Believe it - it's true.<br /><br />I think you're probably right that the man who accepted your hospitality had some magic about him and "angel" is as good a word as any.<br /><br />In fact, I'm fairly certain that both of them were angels and they recognized you as one of their own.Frank Baronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07766219281485749395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-26126800388523051712010-12-15T13:50:27.992-06:002010-12-15T13:50:27.992-06:00This is a beautiful post Lori. Your heart is so b...This is a beautiful post Lori. Your heart is so big and I admire you for it.<br /><br />Congratulations on you Post of the Week from Hilary. It's well deserved.<br /><br />xoxo jjJoanna Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10836376588710862173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-72354730414873583772010-12-15T12:22:56.322-06:002010-12-15T12:22:56.322-06:00As if my first comment wasn't long enough....
...As if my first comment wasn't long enough....<br /><br />One thing I forgot; something that I'm sure has occurred to you, and that I like to keep in mind for myself<br /><br />How many paychecks am I away from homelessness? Three? Four? Really. It wouldn't take that much, a sudden death, a lost job, a major illness?<br /><br />I think most of us are a lot closer than we'd like to believe.<br /><br />Once again, great post. As you can see, it's been on my mind today.Crickethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07584174478393760131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-87583287682993102772010-12-15T11:02:27.280-06:002010-12-15T11:02:27.280-06:00I see homeless here everywhere. We have shelters,...I see homeless here everywhere. We have shelters, but the homeless still line the streets. There's a new class of them here at the beach. They want to be where they are, they bully those who want to help, and they laugh at you. They've been known to beat up other homeless. They aren't drunks or druggies like the old style homeless. Those can be helped, can be fed too. Not these new ones....and it's scarry. They are so very young.Magehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17333086721654817750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-1684018638113326432010-12-15T09:04:08.888-06:002010-12-15T09:04:08.888-06:00This is a wonderful, powerful post and, as you hav...This is a wonderful, powerful post and, as you have said to me, today I have been blessed to read it. Bravo and congratulations on your potw. Truly well-deserved.<br /><br />I have lived in one major city or another all my life and have met many homeless folks, and even gotten to know some of them. As kcinnova said, you don't truly get used to it. Even so, if you gave money to everyone who asked you'd soon go broke.<br /><br />Still, it can help, I think, just to treat these people as people, as fellow human beings. I've found that is at least something, something they do not always get - a conversation... something to remind them that they are still fully human.<br /><br /><i>When you hear stories of professional beggars and of people not willing to work... </i><br /><br />In my experience, such creatures are so rare as to be nearly fictional. They are creations of right-wing rhetoric more than anything else. Remember, Reagan's "Cadillac driving welfare queens" were a complete lie. Not that anyone cares.<br /><br />OK, I want to write a <i>comment</i>, not a post of my own here. Anyway, thanks for this post, and congrats on your potw.Crickethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07584174478393760131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-36905093130521291082010-12-15T08:56:58.359-06:002010-12-15T08:56:58.359-06:00Lori, your caring heart and empathy for others wil...Lori, your caring heart and empathy for others will cause you pain, but it is such a blessing to those it touches. May God bless you for the kindnesses you show to others.Linda at To Behold The Beautyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07419060763634934217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-81714847237914633852010-12-15T07:16:02.666-06:002010-12-15T07:16:02.666-06:00In the Bible it says "when you have done it f...In the Bible it says "when you have done it for the least of these you have done it for me (Christ)". The two people you encountered may have been angels sent to pique your awareness of "the least of these".<br /><br />God bless your caring heart.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-9457990596216318162010-12-12T19:14:47.015-06:002010-12-12T19:14:47.015-06:00Oh, no, don't stop caring! We need people to c...Oh, no, don't stop caring! We need people to care, or what kind of society would we be? Of course, we could be better than we are now. Instead of giving tax breaks to rich people who don't need it, we could give that money to facilities that take care of such people. I know lots of those homeless folks are mentally ill, but many are also down on their luck and never would have imagined themselves on the street, once upon a time. I have four daughters, so I doubt I'll ever have to worry about it, but homelessness could happen to anyone, given the right/wrong circumstances. You are a kind and loving woman, and that is your greatest asset! :-) xoFragrant Liarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09452052210826471034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-8887319560532195182010-12-12T07:08:01.096-06:002010-12-12T07:08:01.096-06:00Some people are homeless because of misfortune, wh...Some people are homeless because of misfortune, while others end up there for other reasons. Sometimes it's hard to tell who you are dealing with. I admire your kindness and generosity.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03158978490041796686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-20698385635498880642010-12-12T00:21:29.011-06:002010-12-12T00:21:29.011-06:00Lori, You have such a big heart! I just wanted to...Lori, You have such a big heart! I just wanted to thank you for your kind words these past couple of weeks. I have been going through a really tough time, and I don't think I have told you how much your words have helped me. <br />I am doing better! I am thankful for what I have.<br />This post, among many others, makes me realize how blessed I am, and wonder what I can do to help. <br />Thank you for being you!Kit Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03448141758039673213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-48792973487741569502010-12-11T22:27:22.740-06:002010-12-11T22:27:22.740-06:00Such an inspiring post, Lori. Your kind heart touc...Such an inspiring post, Lori. Your kind heart touches so many.Hilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787493532006658679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-66626892432781473322010-12-11T19:37:04.434-06:002010-12-11T19:37:04.434-06:00It is sad that in a country as great as ours that ...It is sad that in a country as great as ours that there are homeless people. We don't see them in the small towns but when I go down to Pittsburgh and some of the other cities, they are there and my heart aches for them. It is kind of you to show love and compassion for them. You are a good person.Garnetrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09911448607956799034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-59371429481777186412010-12-11T18:24:22.143-06:002010-12-11T18:24:22.143-06:00Hugging someone human being to human being is what...Hugging someone human being to human being is what it is all about I think. No one is better or worse than the next one. We all matter. We are all connected. Your love for all people is an inspiration.CiCihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08615265608675467505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-31524107980503032402010-12-11T16:28:49.805-06:002010-12-11T16:28:49.805-06:00I do too. How horrible it much be with the cold we...I do too. How horrible it much be with the cold weather and such a sweet heart you have.Yolandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10135944573305009556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-73850389305721238562010-12-11T08:08:53.405-06:002010-12-11T08:08:53.405-06:00I cringe at the thought of being homeless...I just...I cringe at the thought of being homeless...I just don't think I would survive it...how do they? Even when I am driving at night and it is cold..by arizona standards...I think of the homeless and how they are making it that night...everyone deserves a place to stay and foood to eat...ain't for city galshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14938751007704247232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-57146950011935008732010-12-11T05:03:18.596-06:002010-12-11T05:03:18.596-06:00You are a better person than I am LoriYou are a better person than I am LoriLozhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10513517402604501840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-7618833275027546372010-12-10T13:28:34.418-06:002010-12-10T13:28:34.418-06:00Hugs to you -- the lady was searching for you and ...Hugs to you -- the lady was searching for you and found you . . . I love that you looked at her, really looked.Kathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-59877208558281562572010-12-10T11:34:59.549-06:002010-12-10T11:34:59.549-06:00Lori
You have such a huge (and beautiful) heart.
...Lori<br />You have such a huge (and beautiful) heart.<br /><br />I was very impressed by something Mother Teresa once said on TV. A rather snooty journalist was interviewing her and made a sarcastic comment that we couldn't all give up our lives and go help the poor in India. Mother Tersa smiled and replied (roughly what I remember) that we don't have to. All we have to do is love and take care of our families, because then they grow up into good loving people who have their own loving caring families... and caring families make caring comunities... and caring comunities make caring towns... and if everyone did just that much there would be no need for people like her to go across the world to take care of poor/sick people.<br /><br />You don't have to do big to start a miracle. Every day you share one moment of love with the little ones, your family, your friends... you make a whole ripple of good that can keep on spreading out way further than you might ever know or dream of. <br /><br />And I totally agree with Kcinnova - my first thought was that your first old lady was an angel. Seriously.<br /><br />((hugs))Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02284595314525240584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-13754220370563564182010-12-10T11:21:40.286-06:002010-12-10T11:21:40.286-06:00Lori - You have the kindest heart...hugs...I loved...Lori - You have the kindest heart...hugs...I loved reading this post of yours and can so empathize with your feeling of helplessness when you can't really help someone as much as you would like to. Beggars are a common sight in India, and still it's hard to get immune to another human being needing to beg - even if at times it's to feed an addiction......<br />Loved your post about your daughter. She's a lucky woman to have a wonderful, loving Mom like you. <br />Love and hugs...Corinne Rodrigueshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00127426375705808776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-86149858386486123872010-12-10T07:46:29.142-06:002010-12-10T07:46:29.142-06:00Excellent post, Lori.
I play fast-pitch softball ...Excellent post, Lori.<br /><br />I play fast-pitch softball every spring and summer. In one league I have played for, and managed, the same team for 17 years. One of my regular teammates was a homeless man. That is, he lived full time at the Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter in Boston. Very nice man, heck of a pitcher, easily past 50 when I first met him. He'd always be the first one to the ballpark for our weekend games, which started at 9am. Speculation was that he slept at the park on those nights, but I never wanted to embarrass him by asking too much about it.<br /><br />The way I found out he was homeless was when I asked for phone numbers to contact guys. He was a bit sheepish about it, then he told me he could be reached at the shelter sometimes, but had no other way to be contacted.<br /><br />I'd help him out here and there, by giving him a ride after games or maybe buying him a post-game meal. Again, though, I never wanted to embarrass my teammate, so it was always a casual offer, and I didn't want him to feel he was lesser.<br /><br />He finally retired from the team a couple of years back when he had to have a double knee replacement. By that time, he was able to be collecting some social security and disability payments he had coming, and he 'retired' to a small apartment of his very own in a very poor neighborhood.<br /><br />Whenever I see someone homeless, I think of him and what a nice guy he was.Suldoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778845367184916684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5235715250548029188.post-60745509443993854732010-12-09T09:37:48.800-06:002010-12-09T09:37:48.800-06:00Oh, I so agree with you. I*ve been thinking about ...Oh, I so agree with you. I*ve been thinking about this a lot, especially after meeting a kneeler - someone kneeling bareheaded and remaining as still as a statue. We gave him food and drink and money.<br /><br />Afterwards, I heard lots of people saying that these poor people are working for scammers who fleece the beggars only leaving them a small amount of money. And yet, I wonder why people don't at least speak or smile or give them some food. It's freezing cold here and no one chooses to live like this.<br /><br />Just imagine how desperate they must be!<br /><br />I'm so glad you shared your heartfelt stories with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com