Homeless Grapevine
Vendor
Can
a person be homeless and have a house? Is owning a house the same as not being
homeless? Some people would say that if you have a house you are not homeless.
Other people would say that wherever you lay your hat is your home. Well, I had
the opportunity to walk with a homeless man. We shared coffee together, we ate
together, and we even slept in the same places together. I wanted to get his
perspective on homelessness so I asked him what he thought. He looked me square
in the eyes and said, “my friend, a house is nothing but a shell. The person
inside the house is what makes it a home.”
This
homeless man once had everything most people would love to have. He had a
beautiful house, a loving family and a wonderful career. He was very ambitious,
educated and well liked by others in his community. But somewhere down the line
his ambitions had consumed him. The more he got, the more he wanted. Not being
grateful for what he was blessed with, he decided to find gratification outside
of his home. Once again the street has stolen a wonderful man’s soul. His
family pleaded and begged him to come back. His body returned but his soul was
gone. Eventually his wife and kids left him.
There
was nothing left but an empty house with wonderful memories. Not until his
family was gone did he realize he had given up the most precious thing he ever
had, the love of his wife and kids. On his eighth wedding anniversary he decided
to walk away from his house. He grabbed something and took the little bit of
hope he had left with him.
Today
he says he has a new perspective on life. He prays a lot and asks God for
forgiveness. His soul is returning little by little. He still misses his family
but he put it all in God’s hands. After hearing his story, I felt real bad for
him. He said “don’t feel sorry for me, I take full responsibility for my
actions. I know today if I stay close to God, everything will work itself
out.” I talk to that homeless man everyday when I look in the mirror.
Hopefully that homeless man will find his way back home.
Editor’s Note: There
are 13 definitions of homelessness by the federal government with the major
funder of shelters, HUD, having a limited definition.
Copyright Homeless
Grapevine Issue #86 in November 2008 Cleveland Ohio.