A conversation that I really enjoyed was with a small and very kind man. He told me his name, but for the protection of his privacy, i am not going to mention it. He kept a good neat appearance, which is something noticeable on the streets. He was also so very approachable and pleasant to talk with because it was almost as though he had a permanent smile on his face. In conversation I found out many things about him. One of the first things he said to me came almost as a confession. He apologetically told me that he is an atheist. I was taken back a bit, not because of his beliefs, but because of his sheepish and apologetic way of telling me. As christians, we should be approachable and kind towards all people no matter their belief system or lifestyle. I am aware and have even experienced the harsh and judgemental ways of the bible belt, but it still baffles me when others expect the same behavior from me. Though it probably shouldn’t since sadly I have been a part of racism and homophobia before. It is something that saddens me to this day and I must admit to it so as to keep myself from becoming prideful, another one of my many vices.
The next thing that really stuck with me is that he will soon be homeless and is worried about the transition of life, as I am sure any of us would be. He has found himself financially behind due to the piling up of personal medical bills on top of the declining health of his mother. This is the new face of homelessness in america. People who cannot keep up with outrageously priced medical bills. The baby boomer generation is becoming elderly and we do not have the social structure to keep up with care. All of this while the cost of living is shooting through the roof. When talking about his upcoming homelessness, that was the only moment when the joy sank from his face. He was already feeling the effects of the loss of his dignity, which is the stigma that those of us who are more fortunate than our friends on the street place on them.
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