Until We Walk A Mile...

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

When Does Reality Really Hit Home?

"People who are homeless are not social inadequates.  They are homeless."  -  Sheila McKecknie

April in San Francisco is more like early spring in northern Ontario, rather than the hint of summer in the rest of California.  I hadn't done my weather-homework and had only packed a light jacket expecting tropical temperatures and sun-soaked days under the Golden Gate.   With the damp ocean breezes blowing briskly, I was freezing, wishing I'd brought along a pair of gloves and my favourite scarf. No matter, the Hard Rock Cafe would warm me up and then the sightseeing would continue.  Fun atmosphere, cool folks at the bar, souvenir hurricane glass to bring back home... on with my tourist type adventure.

Little did I know at that point, that I would finally come face to face with a new understanding of one of our society's most ignored scenarios.

Belly full and admittedly a little tipsy, I turned and headed up one of San Fran's famous hills.  My face to the bright sun, and not really paying attention to what was ahead, I was startled to bump into a shopping cart.  It was driven by a craggy faced man with very gentle eyes almost hidden by a mane of eyebrows.  He smiled; I think I may have said hello.  He kept going. So did I.

I remember that moment of "shift" in my thinking from my personal expectations of my experience to what was happening on the streets.  Under stairwells, on stinky sewer grates, anywhere away from the wind, lived communities of people.  They understood each others' language, asked no questions about past lives, and shared secrets of survival.  Cardboard boxes and chunks of plastic wrap were their castles.  And, as I found out later the municipal library was their "salon", offering showers, private areas for grooming and the luxury of real toilets.

My goose bumps and failure to pack the right attire seemed so miniscule in comparison to the reality of living on the streets.  Why had I never really seen these people before?  How harshly I had judged.

Let's explore the realities of homelessness and poverty together over the next 3 weeks.  Watch for next week's "Challenge" for you and your family.  Perhaps you won't need to travel all the way to the west coast, and will "Find your heart (in San Francisco)" if you haven't already.

"We think that poverty is only being naked, hungry and homeless.  The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty.  We must start in our own homes to remedy all poverty."  - Mother Teresa

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Where is this mural and who is the famous artist?  Be the first with the correct comment to win a Canadian book!