Post 56 - Another Sunday

Today, I began earnestly working on my second blog after making my rounds visiting the street people of Chicago and meeting a few new folks.

First, a little update on this past week. I downplayed things big time after last Sunday. I'd been out on the street with a sidewalk outreach ministry group and, when I got home, emotionally drained, a few people on a message board I belong to (Yelp) had made some incredibly hurtful comments, saying that my actions would be much more thoughtful if I was genuinely humble instead of bragging about myself. Normally, I wouldn't be hugely phased by the ugliness but, this time, I was crushed. I think it had something to do with being so tired, so sore and so cold.

Well. The bad news was that I was sad. I cried (ugh, I hate that). I'd like to say I got over it but the truth is, it still stings a little when I think about it.

However! The *GOOD* news is this: I received an outpouring of support from some wonderful members of the site. I received more emails than I could keep up with and have received donations, offers of help and just general encouragement. I was blown away by the kindness of so many people and, dork that I am, I probably cried in front of each of them when we met face to face! haha! Oh well, I'm an emotional Irish-Italian American woman. I come by my emotions honestly!

As I mentioned, after today's excursion, I began my new blog that is purely for the street people I've met. At the moment, it's only got a bio for a few folks but I have several more that I need to add. Please take a moment to read the blog (or at least skim it) and I hope you will be able to see why these people mean so much to me. Here you go: Magnanimous Beauty

Last but not least, please, please keep the dragon man in your thoughts and prayers. He's caving again and I miss him terribly! And when he comes back out of his cave, I'm going to kick his German butt if he even tries to tell me that he doesn't have seasonal affective disorder! *stubborn redhead face*

Post 55 - Magnanimous Beauty

Say what? what the heck does "magnanimous beauty" mean, anyway? Magnanimous beauty is something that comes from within and radiates outward. I hope you get the gist of my message when I talk about the beauty and joy I see on the streets, even in this bitter weather.

Yesterday, I went downtown carrying my bright, pink bags loaded with socks, trail mix and baggies. I also had a few hats that had been donated, two gorgeous, thick ladies' coats (also donated) and 15 (!!) vouchers for free coats at a Salvation Army store! Add to that more baggies (extremely helpful for keeping necessary ID papers dry and keeping socks separated/dry when one only has two pair of socks to his or her name), hand warmers and a dozen more pair of socks (all donated) and I was ready to go!

I really wasn't sure what to expect with such high winds and snow. The city really does try with limited resources to help by having warming centers open on days where the weather is nightmarish but, even so, there were still many people out on the streets. Thankfully, I met up with a team of friends from the suburbs. The group of six begins to make its way down the street. We meet a man named Ron. When I ask, "hey! need some socks?" he wordlessly lifts the leg of his pants to show me his shoes filled with holes....and no socks on his feet. We see Willy - he's been on the street for 10 years. Know what he wants for Christmas? Long underwear in extra extra large. That's all. Although we were sad that we didn't get a chance to visit with Scooter, we were glad he was in out of the cold, even for a day. We walk further and see some of the regulars. Mo grins and says, "What? No love for the big girls?" when we paw through our bags and see that there's no coat in her size. I hand her a voucher and tell her how to redeem it. Mo tells me she just got into interim housing and she's so excited to have a bed to sleep on. She doesn't have a pillow or a blanket but she is grateful for a bed! As our group walks away with waves and hugs, I holler to Ronnie (who I'd just given toothpaste at his request, even though I forgot to bring deodorant), "take care of each other - I'll be back as soon as I can with deodorant and blankets!" My suburban friends won't be able to make it back into the city until january but I'll be back next week with long johns for Willy and a blanket for Mo........and, of course, more socks.

I ate dinner with an elderly gentleman named hank who I'd seen shuffling down the street. he hadn't eaten in several days. I sat with him and listened as he told me about how you learn pretty quickly to stay awake at night and keep moving so your body temperature won't drop too low. I was told that, while you might get out of the cold a while by hopping on the L-train if you can, don't dare fall asleep or you'll be cut and what little you own will be stolen.

That's generally how these days go. Lots of walking in all sorts of weather meeting many people who never dreamed they'd be living on the streets. My attitude is the same each time I go out. If these people are surviving outside in this weather, it won't kill me to walk around for a few hours doing what I can to help.

Speaking of help, many, many people have been asking what they can do. First things first: THANKS!! If you wish to donate items of clothing, the greatest needs are for socks and gloves! Feet and hands get cut, especially if they're not protected. The cuts get infected. People lose fingers and toes or more. I can't say it enough: socks, socks, socks. And gloves, especially in bigger sizes. hand warmers. fresh fruit. long underwear. ready-to-eat nonperishables (I bring granola and trail mix). Even as I write this, please know that any donation is received with gratitude.

Ah. And speaking of donations, while monetary donations are accepted, I do ask that you allow me to give you a receipt for your generosity.

Last but not least, there have been a small handful of hateful remarks about the possibility that I am only doing this to seek praise. At first, this really made me sad but then an important thought occurred to me: I know my intentions. What's more, God knows my heart. As long as those two bases are covered and as long as people are getting out there and helping if they feel it's something they should be doing, that's ALL that matters. Fini!

Be blessed and be a blessing wherever you can, friends. My love to you all!

Kelley