Alyice on August 24th, 2009

Thanks For The Roof Over Our Heads

Some days, I long so badly to own a home of my own again that I act a little ungrateful for the home we do have. We rent this house:

By all accounts it is a nice house. It’s a two bedroom with a converted attic (that we don’t use ‘cuz it gets far too hot in summer and far too cold in winter) and huge two-car garage. It has a tiny kitchen, a huge living room, and a big basement. The roof and basement don’t leak. There are no mold or moisture issues. The heating and cooling works. The electrical outlets do their job and while the water pressure is less than desirable, we have running water.

Plus, we have a great landlord. He leaves us alone and doesn’t micromanage the place. And should something need repairing, he’s right there to take care of it. And should we decide to paint a room, he’s willing to pay for the paint and brushes, as long as we paint it ourselves.

Still, there are days I long to own a home of my own and on those days, I can be a bit of a bear. But something happened this weekend that really put things into perspective: I ran into a homeless couple who were affected by the current state of our economy.

They must have been in their mid-fifties. The only things they owned were the clothes on their backs and the materials in their backpacks. They were holding a sign asking not for handouts, but for work.

At one time, they had a place to lay their heads at night, a place to shelter them from the ever-changing South Dakota climate, and a place to eat their meals. But now, they had no place. Thanks to our economy, they were without jobs and without a home.

And it broke my heart.

It starts easily enough, doesn’t it? A lay off, the inability to find work, the unemployment benefits run out, the savings run out, the landlord wants his rent but there’s just no money to pay the rent—and next thing you know, you’re locked out of your place. Your personal belongings are auctioned off to pay for past due rent and you find yourself homeless.

As I handed them a bag of groceries I choked back the tears; realizing that there was nothing more I could do.

“It could happen to any one of us,” I thought to myself.

How many of us live paycheck to paycheck? How many of us struggle just to make ends meet and don’t live elaborate lifestyles? How many of us have worked hard our entire lives but due to one crisis or another have nothing more to show for it?

The next time you see a homeless person, pause a moment. Observe them. Are they hobos who love living on the road and taking handouts from strangers to get them through the next day or are they people, just like you and me, who’ve hit a rough patch and just need someone to show them a little kindness?

Then ask yourself, “How can I help?”

It may not be your place to provide shelter but there are other things you can do. You can provide an umbrella on a rainy day, a blanket and jacket during the cold winter months, something to quench their thirst, food to fill their bellies, or you can direct them to the nearest homeless shelter.

All it takes is just one small act of kindness to give them hope and make this world a better place.

Give thanks…

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AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

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