Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Our Homeless


Living in an Urban Environment I can't help but to notice that homeless people are living around me. I see them everyday. There is one particular guy that I see pretty often, his name is Mike. My neighbors have known Mike for a long time and Mike is homeless because he just can't leave the bottle alone. Today I was walking out of my home towards my car and I heard a voice from my Neighbors porch. It was Mike, sometimes Mike likes to sit on the porch and people watch. Who knows what Mike has done prior to his arrival but it doesn't matter. Mike is Just Mike and Mike likes to sit on the porch and watch people and traffic go by. But today Mike called out to me as I was walking to my car. He said, "Excuse me." I said, "Whats going on?" I assumed his next question was going to be if I had some money, or a ride or maybe even some food. Nope it wasn't any of that. Mike said, "Can I ask you a question?" I said, "sure Mike go ahead." the next four words that came out of his mouth took me by complete surprise. I knew being homeless, is not the ideal situation for anybody, but some of these people just don't have a way out and they are looking for a way out. Mike asked me, " Can you Shoot Me?" I was taken back a bit from this odd request. I told Mike, " Mike No I can't shoot you." Mike looked severely disappointed that I wouldn't take him up on his request. As I left to go workout I realized that for Mike, living must suck everyday and he doesn't have the courage to take his own life but he realizes that living everyday is just a plague for him. Shooting Mike is not an option, but if I were in Mikes shoes I probably would want some body to shoot me too. My wife cried when I told her that today. I still feel saddened. My neighbors are some of the best people you will ever meet, they have a heart bigger than earth. From taking care of stray animals to giving Mike a sandwich now and again, they wont give him a bullet but at least he feels an ounce of kindness from people who don't have to show him anything. We can take life for granted everyday, but sometimes the homeless can help us put things right back into perspective. It's not in me to wish harm on Mike to make his situation better, but I do hope and pray he is able to one day find peace.

6 comments:

Sue said...

Addictions cause people to literally throw their lives away. Unfortunately, though they need the treatment most, homeless folks rarely are able to get it.
Your neighbors are good people, but this man needs more help than they can give.
Such a sad situation.

ATW said...

Sue-Your so right. Many of these people are in the habit of breaking habits. Unfortunately they keep the bad ones. Many of these individuals have had many chances to get on the right track but the addiction is so powerful. It's soooo sad.

Jack said...

Years ago when I was young and dumb,I probably would have sneered at Mike. Today, I look at Mike with compassion because I know addictions are hard to kick, and he must feel helpless. Spending time in NYC due to my proximity of it, I often wonder what some of the homeless have running through their minds. With Mike, I find it sad he feels the urge to end his life or ask someone to end it for him. Truly a sad situation.

ATW said...

Jack- I am originally from Jersey Myself, Jersey City to be exact. The different levels of homeless people that encompass the state and NYC is amazing. Like you, many moons ago I to had a snooty attitude about the homeless. But the more I see them I realize that I too am only a few wrong decisions from being in the same place. I only wish I was addicted to working out rather than good food:)

Jack said...

ATW - It really does amaze me, and the number of homeless veterans that we have really astonishes me. As for a couple wrong decisions, it really doesn't take much to make those today either. With the costs of things skyrocketing, it could just be a matter of time.

ATW said...

Jack- When the war kicked off the Army took in anything with a pulse. There were guys from all walks of life. They knew the army needed men to get there numbers and they were hired as a result. Basic training, NCOs, and Military culture was not enough to get these guys straight. War was another animal. These guys came from nothing. Many of them were used till the last drop of energy they had and released because of disciplinary actions. A guy who was border line homeless, before he joined, goes to war makes tax free money and wants to return to the streets because he has a little money saved up. It's that frame of mind thats impossible to change. These guys long for the day to get back to the streets, because they think they have a new skill set and they can be better off. I know this because I had a soldier who came in, married a hooker, and bought a shed in the woods in his home town that didn't even have electric. He wanted to get out and live his life. He was in bad shape when he came in and left with two feet stuck in a whole lot of mess. The military didn't make these guys this way. They just thought they were smarter than those in charge of them. Either way.. its very sad to see guys who are Vets from wars that I served in and are homeless. I take care of them for different reasons when I see them. But it doesn't minimize the fact that these guys are struggling and there numbers are growing.