How different are we from the homeless?

JOURNEYS: As I pulled up to the drive-thru window at McDonalds the other day, a strikingly handsome man slowly approached my car. His clothes were dirty and tattered, he had tattoos on his forearms, his eyes clearly told of many a sleepless night.

I couldn’t help but wonder: What was his life like before he wound up on the street?

He kept a safe distance -- I guess as to not startle me -- and asked for some spare change. I already anticipated the request and gave him a few loose singles from the console. Then I wished him a heartfelt good night.

Catalina Perez

As I drove off, my heart ached for him, for his family and friends who may or may not care about him or his whereabouts. I imagined him once having a beautiful wife, a loving child, maybe a great job that no longer exists.

Did addiction to drugs, or alcohol, bring him to the streets? A mental illness? Or just a stroke of bad luck in a tanked economy?

Sure, we see the homeless at street corners, under bridges, sitting out front of shelters, waiting their turn for food. But does it register?

I’ll often see one while I’m sitting at a red light. I’m spellbound by the different reactions: Some people dig into their pockets for spare change, while others walk by without so much as a glance.

When the light changes, I snap back to reality and hit the gas. But their faces linger in my mind. What were their lives like before these unfortunate circumstances? What factors contributed to their current state of affairs? Wrong choices? Hard luck? Weakness?

Are they married, divorced? Do they have children? Is a loved one out there desperately searching in vain for them?

Someone once told me, “I would never give them money. Most of them look like they can work. Besides, why would I support their drug habit or alcoholism?”

I was shocked. How could someone be so callous and uncaring?

I say: Just once, for a minute, look past the possible scenarios: In front of you stands a person who’s hungry, cold, in need of a helping hand. Addicted or not, if they’re out there begging, they certainly need it more than we do.

The cynic in me says not to romanticize strangers’ lives. But my idealistic heart wants to picture a beautiful past for the McDonalds man -- and, hopefully, an enormous stroke of luck in the future.

These economic times have been trying. Some people are just a paycheck away from being homeless themselves -- could be your friend, your co-worker, your next-door neighbor, even a relative. Maybe even you.

So the next time someone on the street asks you for some spare change, don’t hesitate or deny or avoid. Think for a moment: You have so much more than they do, so much to be thankful for.

Maybe you pull out some spare change, or even a few bucks. Maybe you’ll be so inspired, you’ll volunteer at a nearby shelter. Or you’ll donate food, or clothes, some shoes.

Maybe you’ll make a difference in someone’s life.

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Jacqueline Iglesias said:

How different are we from the homeless?
Your piece was moving and genuine. I've often had the very same feelings when i've seen someone on the street... I ALWAYS think; this person had a mother and a father.... Someone at some point LOVED this person. What happened? On a very cold day last winter I can out of my office focused on having a nice hot cup of soup for lunch to warm myself up... As I rushed towards 7th Avenue I passed a man sitting on the sidewalk-- He had on fingerless gloves and a raggedy coat that didnt look very warm at all... He had next to him a sign that read "Cold & Hungry" ... As I walked past him I thought, 'I should buy him something to eat' (I had my debit card and no change) so thats exactly what I did. I returned and handed him a bag containing a large chicken soup and a handful of crackers, napkins and a spoon. My $4.00 had made a huge difference in that mans day. His face lit up and he thanked me over and over again. Thanks for your heart-warming piece. Perhaps it will make people think twice before they keep walking! =)