PLEASE MEET AUNTIE:
What happens when all the in-between left over undeveloped wiggle room spaces are gone in this city? Before we finish making Seattle all beautiful new, seems like we should build affordable housing for everyone first.
After the City of Seattle sweep took place on Occidental South, where three blocks of vehicles and tents were cleared, this is where Auntie and her dog Baxter ended up. Up against an abandoned building.
She's a woman in her 60's sleeping on the pavement without protection from the elements. Everybody okay with sweeps?
She's been there for two days with no sleeping bag or tent, just a blanket and a couple of coats. I asked what if it rains? She smiled at me for a moment and said, "I'll be alright."
After she finished the breakfast sandwich and coffee I brought, and after I agreed to come back with a pack of Camel 100s, which was a new experience having never bought cigarettes before, I thought to myself, I know she said she's alright, but the honest truth is, I'm not.
It comes in waves. Right now I'm not okay with this situation. Sorry for the rant. I'm not pointing fingers, none of us are individually to blame, but somehow, here we are.
I've come to be good friends with Auntie. Here is the problem with friendship. You begin to care. When you live in a city, no, in a country with a broken relationship to those in need, it places a heavy burden on the individual reaching out. It kills connections that are vital to a healthy community. It begins with guilt and turns to frustration. And ultimately, it has all of us turning away, walking past, making up excuses like, 'The homeless choose to be homeless', or 'They deserve it.'
We need to get more creative and compassionate than sweeping people. We need to work to fix the system that separates us and we need to keep reaching out to 'Just Say Hello' no matter how difficult it can be. We need to do this for those living outside and we need to do it for ourselves.
I love you Auntie, you are all BEAUTIFUL my friend.
Atlantic neighborhood | Rex
A QUIET THOUGHT - If you're moved by the goodness of this community, please visit http://www.facinghomelessness.org/ and click on the 'donate' button and consider a "monthly recurring" donation of just $5 in support of the work. THANK YOU!
#JustSayHello #FacingHomelessness #Kindness
