SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, December 30th, 11:00-1:00PM.
Please meet Eli. He's about as easy a person to talk with as you will find. With his soft voice and quick smile, you feel like friends just five minutes into the conversation.
I asked Eli if I could take his picture, to which he replied, "Yeah, that's okay, just don't tell me, I don't want to freeze up!" When we were done, he then showed me a B&W photo of his dad, one that was in Ebony magazine, back in the day. It's beautiful!
Eli went to Ballard High School. Currently he lives in a tent along Leary Way NW, in Ballard. His tent is one of the 32 lined up on the parking strip, inches from traffic.
SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, December 30th, 11:00-1:00PM.
This week our friend Bruce Drager will be going from tent to tent asking what folks want for Christmas. On Christmas day I'll make a post on this page, listing all of the asked for presents, to see if each of us can claim one of the gifts to purchase and then gift to those living in this encampment. It is going to be veryVERY BEAUTIFUL!
The idea is that we all show up from 11:00-1:00PM and take part in a street CHRISTMAS PARTY for folks the holidays usually pass by. More information to follow, but please SAVE THE DATE!
LOVE.
beautifulHUMAN
PLEASE MEET PATRICK:
A few days ago my friend Michelle, who lives chronically homeless, called to let me know Patrick had passed. My stomach tightened. A feeling of sadness surrounded me.
I saw him a week ago, yelling to him from across the street. He started to cross over to talk, but I said, "Hey, I gotta run, I'll see you later, soon!" I tear up knowing I won't be able to see him again.
If I'm completely honest, there is anger there too. How is that we have not figured out how to provide housing for everyone? Is this as good as we can do? Are we okay with the way it is?
Patrick was 64 years old when he died. He grew up in Ballard. He was as sweet and kind of a man that you'll ever meet. Everyone that knew him, knew that to be true. He brought each of us joy.
He was a regular at the Fremont Cafe Ladro coffee shop. I remember once offering to buy him a cup of coffee while talking with him outside. He said, "No thank you, the nice people here usually give me a cup when I come in." When I was leaving I went over to thank the employees for the kindness given to Patrick and both behind the counter said it was nothing, that Patrick was an extremely nice man, that they loved him.
There are many worlds swirling around us in every moment. We're oblivious to most of them. Only when we stop to take an interest does that world truly become visible. If you take the time to look closer into the world of homelessness, you will find a depth of beauty there that will open and change you profoundly.
Patrick created this change for many by sharing his humanity.
Once I saw him sitting on a bench with his head in his hands, then a few days later he was leaning up against a building in an alley. I came over to ask if he was okay, he said, "Two of my brothers passed away." It was weighing heavily on him, so much sadness.
So often the dehumanization of homelessness has us forgetting that we all have feelings, that the heart feels love and pain whether you live inside or outside.
Patrick is one of those folks that had an extra charm to him, a twinkle in his eye. He was always happy to see you, eager to share thoughts or concerns. I remember once, as he was leaving the FH office, he stopped, turned to us and said, "Sometimes I get claustrophobic living in this universe!"
You are free from it all now my friend. So many blessings to you for being such an extremely beautiful human being. I just want to say, THANK YOU, for being you. You will be missed and always LOVED.
Ballard 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 #TheBLOCKProject #yesinmybackyard
easilyMISSED
PLEASE MEET BRIAN:
You've paid for parking. Two hours time. It should be enough to drop books off at the library, grab coffee at your favorite coffee shop, and then head to the park to sit, relax and catch up on social media. Along the way you pass a man sitting on the curb next to his truck, which is also his home. You didn't see him, but he was there.
You don't know it, but this man is a beautiful person. Yes he's fallen on tough times, but he's gentle and caring. He doesn't have much, but he's into helping others, sharing his time.
He could be anyone, but his name is Brian. He's 64 years old, grew up in Butte, Montana working the mines. He loves heights and depths, the deeper the better, he was made for mining. Not anymore though. Too old, too many injuries.
The truck he lives in was given to him by Brother Isaac at St. Luke's. A gift to his friend just before passing away. They had come to enjoy each other's company, taking care of the grounds. The truck had been sitting for a long time, because of it the tires and battery are shot.
We would like to raise $1,000 for Brian to get (4) new tires and batteries, the truck takes two. It would mean the world to him. He wants to use the vehicle to help move belongings to storage for friends living on the street. He's just that kind of guy.
I know social media is important. Heck, Facing Homelessness has 53K people on this page reaching out with kindness. But maybe, just maybe next time you are out and about, look for that person sitting alone, having a tough time of it. I promise your life will shift if you stop and Just Say Hello. The human experience of it all will be infinitely more real and beautiful than anything you'll find on your phone.
A community size LOVE to you Brian. Thanks so much for sharing about your life, especially all the interesting stuff about mining. As soon as this Covid virus is under control I'm going to take you up on your offer of heading to the mountains to pan for gold. I got a good feeling about it!!!
Ballard 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 #Kindness #FacingHomelessness Crosscut KING 5 The Bridge Care Center Linda Soriano
enchantingBEING
PLEASE MEET DAVE:
Dave's voice is warm and bright and lively! The cadence of his talk is just different enough that it keeps pulling you in with curiosity and easy connection. I instantly liked him! His enchanting way reminds me of Andre in the movie 'My Dinner with Andre'.
I asked, "Where were you born?" From that moment Dave talked energetically almost nonstop for at least a half hour, his voice going up and down, as his body did too. It was like he was meeting his new best friend and that we were about to embark on some fantastic adventure!
"I was born right here in Seattle, at Swedish Hospital, my aunt was a nun at St. Alphonsus in Ballard, I'm 79 years old, here, see my driver's license, I used to do lights and sound backstage, was friends with Brewster Denny, who was the great-grandson of the Seattle founding Denny family, and on and on, pulling me into his wonderful world!
At some point he just stopped, and then with genuine curiosity said, "So, what about you, what are you all about, I am so interested to know more about you!" By then I was already in-love with him, feeling so grateful to have met this new friend!
Dave lives homeless with Barb, they've been together for at least 18 years, the last 15 in their Ford Econoline van. Barb is just as adorable as he is. Her family has been here in Seattle for 5 generations, she went to Roosevelt High School, and her life story goes on and on too just like Dave's. They are beyond charming together!!
BIG PROBLEM - their van/home is falling apart, it leaks and no longer runs. They are desperate to find a small RV or large van to continue living in. Dave has about $700 he can put towards a purchase.
Hoping somebody has a vehicle in reasonable shape that they can donate or sell for little to Dave & Barb. ALSO, if you can donate to a vehicle fund please do so. THANKS!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WZLWB6QRL9JYS&source=url
CAT LOVERS - They also have a 14 yr old cat named Nudger, who is leash trained, that they need to find a good home for. Nudger is a gray long-hair Maine Coon that they have had for 13 years, and love, but no longer can keep. :( Please reply in comments below if you are interested.
So much LOVE to Dave & Barb from this community, you are both so veryVERY BEAUTIFUL together!!
Ballard 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 #Kindness #FacingHomelessness Crosscut KING 5