Every afternoon I stop at the light at the intersection of 15-501 and I-40 and I talk to the men who panhandle there. It is usually the only interesting moment in my daily commute.
This week I asked one of the panhandlers if he and his friends needed anything. I said, “With the holiday coming up do you guys need anything for Christmas?” The man paused and tilted his head as people often do when considering a question. After a few seconds he smiled and said, “Nope. We’re good.”The light changed and I drove away thinking about the irony of panhandlers who do not need anything.
The man I spoke to is one of several people who live in the woods near the interstate ramp and panhandle every day. Most of these people have lived near the same interstate highway ramp for years. They sleep in tents regardless of the weather. They share their limited resources and help each other out. Their lifestyle is not easy or healthy. Several of the panhandlers have died from serious illnesses or have been murdered over the past few years.
Still, these unusual people have the potential and the willingness to teach the rest of us an interesting lesson. We fret about holiday preparation in the midst of an historic economic crisis and worry about a future in which we may not have “enough.” The panhandlers do not worry about the recession at all. They might not even know that it is going on. They have redefined “enough” to match what they have.
Comments
How Much Is Enough?
I hope that in this holiday season when we are constantly being encouraged to buy that we all take a moment to ask ourselves this question.
Enough is enough
This year we took a bold first step toward changing Christmas as we know it with a non-gift proliferation treaty. What constitutes a bold first step? Announce to family and friends that we don't want anything. It's already working! Our gift exchange has been reduced by at least 80%. These things take time, but someone had to go first. Quite a few fam & friends expressed relief, saying they were thinking the same thing. The very oldest and youngest (four generations apart) won't notice that they're the only ones opening presents. Enough is enough. My favorite part of December 08 was giving away two carloads of unwanted gifts. Next year I hope to report a clean sweep -- no wrapping paper whatsoever.
Celebration with the Homeless
I briefly joined in the Christmas celebration today with the homeless men and women who panhandle at 15-501 and I-40. Some very nice "church people" from the Duke Divinity School provided an elaborate feast to celebrate the holiday. About 25-30 people who live in the woods joined the "church people" on the service road near Walmart to share food, space, and mutual respect. It felt like the way Christmas was intended to be celebrated.Michael B. Owen
Homelessness is Not A Lifestyle Choice
What does it say that 25-30 people live in the woods of Orange County in America in 2008?
Resources about the the true plight of the homeless
There is nothing ideal about it.
The ideal
Thanks for the link to information homelessess in the USA. As you point out, there is nothing ideal about it.I think the problems of many of the people living in the woods around our interstate ramp is complex. Many of the folks out there claim they live there by choice. I think the "choice" is clouded by alchoholism or mental illness. There is nothing ideal or romantic about their lifestyles.However, it is admirable that the Duke Divinity School students and a few others continue to respect and support the people who live in the woods. It is admirable that the Duke students create a space for the people without homes to celebrate the holiday. The Duke students also have helped some of these men and women find more traditional shelter when they are ready to access it.Michael B. Owen