Saturday, December 20, 2008

homeless in America

I know have talked about this homeless man that hangs around a few stores that I go to. Yesterday I ran into him again. I got behind him in line and the cashier asked him if he had any money to buy his cookies and milk and he said no but I am hungry. I told the cashier that I would buy his cookies and milk.

I have done this for this guy several time's, but yesterday, he turned and looked at me and said thank you. That was the first time the homeless guy ever spoke to me.

Later that evening I told Amber that I had run into this guy again. Amber said "I wonder if he has any family? Do they know he is homeless?" I don't know the answers to these questions.

What I do know is that it is getting cold here and this man does not even have a winter coat. We do not have a homeless shelter here, so I have no idea where he is sleeping, or what he is doing to stay worm.

Then I remembered an entry that I wrote some time last year. It was called women unite. http://thoughtofasonerwhitewomen.blogspot.com/2007/03/women-unite.html

So I am going to raise challenge that I gave to everyone else. I am have a nice warm sweatshirt that I am going to give him, Rusty has some really nice cold weather sock's, so I know he wont miss one pair, and I going to do my best to get a tie blanket done for this man.

I still have a few last minute things I need to get done today. Today is Rusty's birthday and he is already gone. He had to take that marine to the airport. This afternoon I have to go get my mom and then the real fun will begin.

14 comments:

Linda's World said...

That's a good thing you're going to do Kelli. I buy gloves & socks at the Goodwill & thrift stores and keep them in my car. I've stopped along the road many times and passed them out. We have groups here in WA that collect jackets, socks and blankets for the homeless but you never hear about gloves being collected. Maybe the teens in your church could get something like that going. I know he'll appreciate your kindness. Linda in freezing cold western Washington

Lisa said...

Awwwww Kelli you are very kind and compassionate, too bad more people are'nt like you, Hugs Lisa

Heli gunner Tom said...

|Kelli,
You have inspired me to write my next post about being homeless! I know ALL ABOUT IT TOO! I am an expert actually. Now I have 100% VA service-connected award $$, my Chrysler pension and some other things to keep me cozy and secure and I own my own house and have my "toys", etc. but it sure wasn't ALWAYS that way, especially in the Milwaukee Winter of 1994-95... Just ask me.

Tom S
tschuckman@aol.com
'Old Soldier Tom's Journal'

Trees said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Trees said...

I think it is wonderful you are going to help this man. We this past week, took food to the food bank and bought many toys for the kids for xmas and took to a warehouse that distribiutes them to families in need. We have homeless shelters here but many will not use them, they feel they are not safe. I remember last year I read a beautiful Easter story, bye Luddie 343, Dare to Think about a homeless man, I knew all along who he was but many were stumped, God sometimes visits us in the strangest ways to give us a message, I know he has visited me many times when I least expected it. I think your story, and your compassion and your kindess is wonderful and many reading this story hopefully will respond the same by helping homeless in their cities. God bless.

Barbara said...

I am glad but not suprised that you are doing this. :) Earlier this week as I was leaving for work a homeless man asked me for a quarter. Normally I am a little cautious of people who come up to me, but not this time. I told Gordon he was outside and Gordon invited him in and gave him a cup of coffee to warm, It was -12 with the wind chill and just to cold to be out. He has spent the night at a shelter but still it was just to cold.
Happy birthday to Rusty.

betty said...

that is so sweet of you, Kelli, to help this man; our church has been collecting winter clothes for Project Touch, an outreach for homeless in the Temecula area
http://www.dollardays.org/about/project-touch/


Happy birthday to Rusty!!! enjoy your visit with your mom!

betty

Sage Ravenwood said...

Your heart and spirit are so remarkably huge. If everyone could just give a little of themselves imagine how beautiful the world truly would be...(Hugs)Indigo

Pamela said...

That is a wonderful thing you are doing. You are always thinking of others. You are really an angel!
Happy Birthday Rusty! Enjoy your weekend!

Traci said...

Good for you Kelli. My hubby is on his way home from our church right now where he spent the evening feeding and caring for 15 homeless men. He was going to spend the night but someone came to relieve him. It's a program called Room at the Inn. I'm glad these guys are out of the cold tonight. It is dropping fast out there.

Unknown said...

Hi, popped over from Natalie's. Being homeless is sometimes a choice and families may know or not. Sometimes families have done all they can to help. At any rate, I think what you've done and are doing is wonderful. I encounter so many homeless working in the ER that I sometimes get a bit calloused. De ;)

Chrissie a.k.a. HoneyB said...

That was sweet of you and I'm so happy that the guy spoke to you. What people don't understand is that in a flip of a coin we could all be that homeless person.
Take care, Chrissie

King of New York Hacks said...

I just recently wrote of such gestures. Random acts of Kindness brings out the angel in all of us.

Gerry said...

I just have to tell you this story since you are the only quilting angel I know right now (my sister Ann used to be one but retired) I had been seeing this poor homeless guy just got out of the hospital and sitting outside in his wheel chair. I was really worried about him as it was winter and cold and he didnt even have a coat. I went to the store and happened to look out the window and saw him and he had a great big fluffy comforter draped around him. I looked closer and I thought that looks like my sister Linda's quilt. Guess what, it was! She felt even sorrier for him than I did, so I called her the homeless angel. Gerry

About Me

My photo
lake elsinore, ca
I am a stay at home mom. I am also married to a veteran and he is the love of my life. I keep it real here and I hold nothing back. My life is a roller coaster ride, so strap on your seatbelt.... here we go!