Homeless

I never quite know how to when I see a person holding a sign on a busy road that tells me that he or she will work for food. Especially here in Oshkosh.

Today I was leaving Target and a man, probably about my dad’s age, was holding a sign that told me he was out of work. My gut reaction is to feel guilty. I mean, I’m leaving Target with $50 worth of mascara and body wash and Christmas presents for my dog. I just got back from a weekend of fun with friends where I didn’t think twice about spending $6 for a beer at a concert (three nights in a row) or more than $100 per night on a hotel room. Quickly though, I’m on the defense. I saw the same man standing there, with the same sign, two plus weeks ago. There is a McDonalds up the road and coffee shops and a grocery store. And I feel like giving the guy the lecture about how he shouldn’t waste his time with the sign and instead he should get a job. We all struggle, dude.

I know there are circumstances. Ones that I am probably too naive to understand. But I want to say, life wasn’t always easy growing up in a one-parent home for me, either. I have a college degree and two jobs now. Life isn’t easy now.  But maybe he lost his wife, or his child or something worse than I can dream put him on that corner by Target in what seems an easy town to live in. 

I don’t know if it makes me a good or a bad person but I didn’t stop my car today. I didn’t hand the man my spare change. I made eye contact with him though and I smiled. And for whatever that smile was worth I hope it gives him a little bit of hope. Especially this time of year.

Christmas is coming. I’ve even started to pick up a few gifts here and there. Jeff and I are not spending a lot of money on each other this year. We just don’t have it. And honestly, we’re planning gifts for our families and for our friends that are filled with thought instead of dollar signs. I don’t know what the holidays will bring for the man with the sign but I hope that there’s more warmth than on that street corner. And even if just for a second, I hope that my thoughts can be sent to him.