The Blind Man Society

Following my walk around town over the last couple days, I started thinking and remembering about the past.  One of my least favorite, but most educational times stuck out…and that, was being homeless for seven months over a decade ago.  After thinking about this, I figured it might be time to do a blog on something non-literary, philosophical, or humorous.

How I became homeless is not very important.  What I learned though, is that with the right combination of punches, almost anyone can be.  And, quickly. 

The first day that I got to the shelter, I was given a tub to put my backpack in since I couldn’t have any belongings in the place.  People stood in a line, walking through the metal detector and going into a main room with a tv and several rows and columns of chairs.  Most people, were trying to sleep sitting up, and I made my way through a door that led outside to a patio area that was fenced in with chain link, and two picnic tables. 

People stood in circles, passing a lone cigarette around and taking one or two drags to fend off the nicotine cravings when it was their turn.  And, just talking life.

I learned quickly, that during the day we were all outside.  Nobody was allowed to stay in the shelter, and unfortunately it was winter and snowing.  So, at 6am every morning we stood in line to get our things, and stopped at the gas station for something to drink and then walked to a day center, arriving an hour early before it opened to stand in groups.  We kept warm this way, and eventually we formed a line to get in. 

Breakfast was served there every morning – a gigantic tub of peanut butter and bread, donuts that were all sugar and some bread, and then we would sit at the tables inside with our things.  There were showers that you had to sign up for by time of day, a computer center that offered classes, and laundry that we had to sign up for too. 

People passed their time by rolling cigarettes at the tables, selling them for 75 cents or a dollar each, and that was how we waited things out.  Many, carried their bibles and read at the tables. 

When it was late enough in the afternoon, we returned to the shelter.  Dinner was served and we all waited in line for our trays.  I eventually got a job in the kitchen, and worked their two days a week in exchange for some GREAT food.  I washed dishes, helped prepare the food for everyone and worked in the crate room.  At night, we all lined up after mandatory chapel and traded all our clothes for pajamas.  We had to pack everything in crates, give them to the people who worked in the crate room, and then go to sleep in long rooms filled with bunk beds.  And, that’s how it went.

As the winter slowly passed it was then warm enough to really be outside again.  We went to a library several miles away and signed up to use the computers for an hour, or read inside.  Most people were on food stamps, and got 200-250 dollars a month for food as a credit card.

So, we had what we needed. 

Eventually, I got into an apartment.  Donation centers provided clothes, and, over time things slowly came back to normal. 

I guess I write this very serious topic and story today because I know of a couple people out there that have been affected this way.  And, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  Just keep on keepin on, and it passes.  Always does.

Hope this blog post finds everyone well out there, and as always, please feel free to comment in the box below.