Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Homeless

                                 

The man we saw walking down the road, in the scorching afternoon sun, did not look into our eyes, he continued walking as he passed us by. My Mom sadly said, "I have tried to help him many times, though often he wasn’t responsive. He use to live in the hotel downtown, I haven’t seen him in weeks, I wonder where he lives now?" We watched as he walked absentmindly, further and further away. We took to the car and went out searching for him. He seemed to have disappeared in the bushes. My Mom realized without a doubt, that he was homeless, and vowed to find help for him.

Shockingly, a few days later we read in the newspaper, that a car had struck him! He was in critical condition.

Why didn’t we search harder for him? Why did fear prevent us from inviting him home to rest his weary body? Fear prevented goodness from coming forth…Feed the poor, open your door, at least say, "Hello, How are you? How can I help you?" To look in the eyes of poverty and take a step towards change. To see wealth set before me, be it in food on my plate or clothes on my back, and take responsiblity for my actions and or lack of them. To serve from my heart those in need. These are the words that circle me, this is the food I serve today to myself-

                                  live simply so others may simply live! Dorothy Day

What I have I must give, and giving it is the gift…

photo: The empty table and chair, old photo of our dining room in France.

Comments

32 responses to “Homeless”

  1. Acey

    this might just be the most beautiful and soul-stirring yet …

    Reply
  2. Peny

    A beautiful and thoughtful message and the photo was perfect. Touching each other in whatever way we can, sharing what we have is as much a gift to ourselves as it is to others.

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  3. deirdre

    It’s always heart-wrenching to live in the middle of such abundance and still, still see people with nothing. I get so frustrated at the red tape involved in getting help for people so obviously in need. It should be so simple, and, I wish, not scary.

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  4. blackbird

    I’m so sorry this happened to you…
    one cannot question the past – one can only move forward with purpose.

    Reply
  5. Jeanne

    Oh your touching stories and photographs.
    They both move me so much each day.
    I pray for all homeless people and all the people of the world each day!
    Love you
    Sugar Plum!

    Reply
  6. susan@artstream

    moments like this remind us of how very very lucky we are and to do what we can when we can.
    hugs to you… for all you do!

    Reply
  7. snowsparkle

    your words resonate with me and i will hear the echo in every moment today. thank you for this call to action. you are a wonderful reminder of christ’s teachings. bless you!

    Reply
  8. weirdbunny

    I tried to help out a homeless guy for a while. One day he asked me for a personel cd player. I told him I couldn’t aford one for him, but I’d get him a cassetee one instead. He told me it wasn’t good enough and didn’t speak to me for ages!!!!

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  9. josephine

    Dearest Corey ~ Your words ache with regret and something inexplicable.
    I think you are right about fear, and that people use it as an easy excuse to be selfish.
    I think there is a greater truth to be known about humanity, and that if more people were like you, with your kind, expansive heart and high regard for ethics…well, the world would be a different place.
    I’m sorry your heart is hurting today. I’ll be thinking of your words between the words…

    Reply
  10. bella

    What a story, what a lesson.
    But what if you had found him and he still refused your help?
    Your heart is good and it is so sad what happened to that man.

    Reply
  11. boliyou

    A very important reminder. Thanks for this.

    Reply
  12. berrie

    You’ve been reading my mind today* My prayers are with that man* with all that I have I surely can do more..thank you dearie for once again reaching deep sharing your aches* & helping me soul search and remember…xoxo

    Reply
  13. Ulla

    You give more than most Corey, but it is good to keep reminding ourselves. We never know why things happen, but perhaps this incident was to remind us of ‘giving’ in words and images that only you can express…

    Reply
  14. Kerstin

    I love the contrast of your peaceful photo (beautiful setting) and your story.
    We have a lot of homeless people in our small town whose gathering point is not far from our doorstep. Some are, literally, crazy and often verbally abusive. Others seem simply lost and we see them wandering aimlessly around town. Yet others try and help themselves at least a little bit, by collecting empty cans and bottles from the retail shops (it’s how I recycle ours) or becoming part of a group that cleans the roads against, I assume, a small compensation.
    My feelings towards homeless people are ambiguous, I have to admit. Some are genuinely lost and without the support network that most of us can rely on, such as families, friends and colleagues. But not all of them want to be helped, preferring to avoid responsibility and hard work and escape into petty crime and substance abuse.
    The truth is that I prefer to not get involved and I am not sure if I feel ashamed about that, or relieved.
    Something for me to think about, thank you, Corey, for this thought provoking post.

    Reply
  15. Paris Parfait

    So sad. Too often people are too ill (mentally) to accept help. When I lived in San Francisco, so many homeless people wouldn’t take help available and I see the same thing in Paris. The contrast of the rich photo and your story are remarkable.

    Reply
  16. Gina

    The fact that you got into the car to look for him was more than many would do. What happened to him was a tragedy but even in our act of helping others we can control every second of the clock. Yes, help him, please help all of them – I always do because I’ve been there myself – but we do have to protect ourselves and our children, so taking a stranger home might be very dangerous (ie Elizabeth Smart) try bringing him food instead or getting a room for them, or hooking them up with a local church. There are also usually resources where you live that can help people. You are the sweetness that rises to the top of this world!

    Reply
  17. tea

    I`ve only just discovered your blog. Something else to dig into. A very sad and moving story. I`ve often thought the same, yet thoughts do nothing.
    At a bad part in my life when I felt down and out and unacomplished, I volunteered in a soup kitchen so I could see how blessed I truly was. I did, I really did see.
    tea

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  18. Erin

    I know how you feel – I’m very sensitive to the homeless and needy, but I think that what sometimes holds us back from actively seeking out indivuduals and offering assistance is our fear of offending them. I guess it would be great if everyone, myself included, could be a little more proactive.
    Don’t feel too guilty about this situation – I also believe that everything happens for a reason.

    Reply
  19. jennifer

    very moving entry, it makes me so much more aware of the humanity of the homeless. it’s so easy to just look the other way – out of fear

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  20. Mrs. Staggs

    Oh Dear Corey, I know how you are feeling. I had a similar experience a few years ago while visiting Harlem in NYC with friends. We were walking along the street when a young man probably 15 or so years old approached me, obviously homeless and in need of drugs. He asked me for a quarter for food. I stopped, but my friends didn’t notice right away and were very far ahead of me at that point and I would have to run to catch up with them. I was so torn. I knew the quarter would not be for food. I thought, should I take him to a store for food, but because I have known addicts in this condition I knew that he couldn’t eat. I walked away and that young man haunts me to this day. I now donate resources to two homeless shelters for young people. One on the west coast and one on the east hoping that he and other young people will find some shelter from violence, drug abuse, hunger and the cold.
    My heart is with you my friend.

    Reply
  21. AnnieElf

    You turned back Corey. You and your mom sought him out. Your angel wings carried you as far as they were meant to go this time around. The amazing thing is that you even discovered what happened to him.
    I think we all have people like that who haunt us. I have one and to this day I wonder what became of him. He was old when our paths crossed and I’m sure he is long dead but I think of him and every thought is a prayer. I hope he is happier in death.

    Reply
  22. MARYBETHMARYBETH

    Dear Corey,
    You did reach out and your mom did repeatedly-the saddest and most difficult truth we wrestle with is that their are those who will not grab the life preserver.
    “And He will raise him up on Eagles Wings”
    Namaste,
    MB

    Reply
  23. cruststation

    Thank you for this, it is easy to be selfish and so often to walk past the homeless without a glance. You and your mum looked back and tried your best to help this person, that is a good and hard-hitting reminder.

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  24. Lee

    I love the serenity of that photo. A most pleasing elegance.

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  25. cat

    So many homeless, it’s sad.
    You and your Mom have wonderful hearts!
    Heb 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

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  26. Amber

    Perhaps one of purposes in this life, was to help people to learn to look deeper. He touched your life, and your heart, and you will not forget… He changed you a little bit. So don’t be mad at yourself, because you did try to help him. It was time for him to go home…
    oxox
    🙂

    Reply
  27. wendy

    I too was moved by this post, not only by the turning around you felt in reaching out, but also how that was coupled with self nurturance (seen in your image) as well. A very uneasy combination for some. Those with a reforming/revolutionary spirit through history, i have noticed, often develop an aversion to the images of self nururance and beauty, find them frivolous, or in the case of saints like St Clare or St Francis, find them painful to even look at. They would look at an elegant setting like this and it would give them pain to see.
    And I can understand that, what they see when they look at elegance is the contrast to those who are without and suffer. There is truth there.
    And yet, there is also truth in this image of yours, and I think an important one. You have taken this elegance but rather than it causing pain to look at, it brings peace. It is not cold haughty elegance but gentle and kind. And that is what makes all the difference.
    Much like I think your attitude made a difference. I truly believe that what we think of someone is our prayer for them, and that that has true impact. Many people would have looked upon this poor man with judgement, which deep down a person picks up on somehow and is affected by. Likewise, when someone has compassion for someone that too somehow gets picked up and has impact.
    Maybe it was your compassion for him that allowed compassion to come accross even in your image of elegance. And I think it made all the difference in the world.
    P.S. I’d love to use this image on a post in my blog, crediting you as the creator and linking to both the image and the blog

    Reply
  28. la vie en rose

    heart wrenching…

    Reply
  29. mary ann

    everyone’s comments combined are what i say too…sometimes we wish to help those in dire need, but then some do not wish to accept help offered…but don’t let that stop you>>>keep being your compassionate, loving self!
    🙂 mary ann xo

    Reply
  30. JinxTheGypsy

    As usual you posts make me think and realize a lot of things about life. thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  31. Carol

    Heart wrenching indeed!
    I so love this photo of your living room! It’s aboslutely beautiful!

    Reply
  32. Colette

    These days I try to stop, say hello, give them my lunch if I’m taking one to work, some $. Most of all they appreciate taking the time to talk to them, look in their eyes, acknowledge their existence.
    Love to you dear Corey.

    Reply

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