Thanksgiving on the Streets... 2023
The Gratitude Holiday....
Thanksgiving.... the only Holiday that has THANKS
and GIVING right in the name. As this is my 24th
Thanksgiving outside, on the streets, I have a
tremendous amount to be thankful for and my
gratitude runs deep. But it has certainly not been
the path or journey I ever dreamed I would be on,
much less be forced to live on permanently. No one
dreams of living on the streets, at least I never did.
Nightmares, yes. But not dreamt of the streets
being “home”.
But Home it has become. Starting the beginning
of this Century and continues to be. Being home,
going home, on the way home... all take on different
meaning when it is on the street. Because there is no
set place, but rather moving (not by choice) regularly.
Having no place to actually call home, when you
have no “Verifiable Proof of Residence”,
the challenges, limits and restrictions of what you
can or cannot do, where you can or cannot go,
increase exponentially.
Playing a live version of Simon Says...
Libraries refusing you access to materials and free
resources. You cannot checkout materials, obtain or
renew a library card without verifiable proof of
residence. Even when you obtained the card prior to
them changing the rules. I had no problem getting
library cards, while living on the streets, until they
changed their rules and no longer allow anyone to
use the library unless they show proof of verifiable
proof of residency. So, I have been refused access
to the library, and cannot renew the cards I
have because they do not allow it.
Denying access to the resources to the ones who
need it the most, and would benefit the most
from, are readily denied the access.
Extremely discriminatory. Refusing access to
free resources that could help you find a
residence, because you do not have a residence.
How is that even legal?
That is just one of millions of examples that
keeps me on the streets. And not fitting the
narrative of what one is supposed to look like,
smell like and behave like when forced to live
outside, without a home, has been met with doors
being repeatedly slammed shut in my face for
not presenting myself in the Stereo-Typical,
commercialized version of what a homeless
person is and how they are supposed to be.
Even so, I have much to be grateful for.
With the gift of my vehicle, I have a thin layer
of protection against the raw elements,
especially as the weather turns into a freezer,
so, I am not covered in Ice, Icy frost, dew, rain...
something I am tremendously grateful for.
And having a vehicle has an added benefit
from being in direct contact with the ground,
especially through the night... all the insects
that come out in droves to feed like parasites
as they affix themselves to your body no
longer has free and ready access to my body
for their feeding frenzy that I was forced to
endure for so long.
Having mobility, even limited, is a precious gift
that I am so grateful for. To be able to carry what
I need and being able to take care of basic needs
is a gift. Something my vehicle allows me to do.
Having been given permission to be where I am by
the chief of police in a couple cities, who personally
gave me permission to be where I stay, has
greatly reduced, if not completely eliminated,
the continual harassment from law enforcement.
It still happens, but nowhere near the constant
intrusions throughout the day and night.
And once they know I have permission
to be there, they pretty much leave me
alone. That in and of itself is a GIFT.
Living on the streets is truly a Tale of Two
Cities.... Seeing the extremes of Humanity,
both the very worst of people, the very
undersides of humanity, and the very best
of humanity. Living on the streets, you
experience the extremes and receive
from across the spectrum.
Being on the receiving end of the worst of the
worst, but also, at times, the very best. Though, the
worst heavily overshadows the best, I do my best to
focus on the best. And the best is certainly
the better example to live by.
Spending Thanksgiving on the streets, my
24th one outside, is not spent in Traditions...
not in the traditional sense, but I have created
my own tradition; outside, with a stack of books,
that were loaned or given to me, in a park where I
spend the day reading, writing, meditating
and hiking, if weather permits, and making
freshly ground, fresh brewed coffee in
the outdoors, counting my blessings with
every sip, every step and every breath.
Holidays are not a special time for me... and if
I could erase them from the calendars, I would.
Holidays are meant for family and friends.
But for me, they are a time of reflection, a time
of introspection and a time to count the Gifts
all around me, and I lose myself in the process,
while expanding my Self in and through my
heart and immersing myself in the
Heartbeat of nature.
Thanksgiving on the streets.
