Thursday, January 29, 2009

Under the Viaduct

There’s a homeless guy who has camped out under the viaduct, where I walk on my way to and from work. Tonight, he had started a fire with some newspapers and was huddled in a blanket next to the fire, trying to stay warm.

First, I walked as far away from the fire as possible. Then I said a prayer for him. And then I made a mental note to stop bitching about this cold-ass weather. At least I have a home and electric heat, and I don’t have to start a fire with some newspapers to keep warm.
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9 comments:

  1. LeahJanuary 30, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    I can't imagine how anyone can survive living outside in this weather. Keep warm homeless guy.

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  2. sagewebJanuary 30, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    I just dont understand why homeless people live in cold weather states...I wish they would hop on a train to florida or california..

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  3. Kimberly AnnJanuary 30, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Remember that line from a song "going where the weather suits my clothes..."? I always think of that when I see someone camped out like that. How people survive that kind of existence is really unbelievable.

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  4. LostInColorJanuary 30, 2009 at 2:15 PM

    I always never know what to do when I see a homeless person...

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  5. DianeJanuary 30, 2009 at 7:32 PM

    Where did he get the match(es)?
    I wonder if being homeless is really that bad,,, I think it is a matter of perspective...

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  6. UnknownJanuary 30, 2009 at 8:10 PM

    The Cold sucks. Last week in DC reminded my we moved South. During, my Downtown Radioshack days I met many homeless people. Some were very sad indeed.

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  7. rosemaryJanuary 31, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    when the temps get to 10 here they open the shelter at the church...but you know what, very few of our homeless go there. they are happier making fires under bridges, in the park and at the town square.

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  8. SlingJanuary 31, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    If he's been there for more than a few days,it's his 'Base of Operations'..You learn quick where your local resources are.(Hmmm,..perhaps I should blog about that).
    Trust that your prayers are always heard!
    ..I'm guessin' he might be praying for a wool cap/gloves,and a few 'trial size' toiletries..and like Diane said,Matches,(Not a disposable lighter,..they don't function properly in the cold),to be tossed serruptitiously over the side of the Viaduct in a ziplock bag.

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  9. BarbFebruary 4, 2009 at 9:40 AM

    I read somewhere about someone who used to buy up batches of the $1.00 gloves and pass them out to the homeless on cold nights. We don't have too many of those here, thank goodness.

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