People Watching

Yesterday was one of the first warm and sunny days we have had this spring, and was a good day to get out and see the town. As always, in Burlington, VT, Church Street Marketplace comes alive as soon as the temperatures go up. Tourists weave in and out of locally owned and operated coffee shops, bookstores, and apparel companies, college kids jog in groups, or ride their bikes between classes, locals pick up coffee as they walk their dogs, and restaurants dust off the outdoor furniture from the storage area, and set up for the dinner rush. But there are those who don’t have much to do; they don’t work, they don’t talk to most people other than to beg, or ask for spare change. Some are new faces, and others are known throughout the area as friendly and harmless individuals.

They are those who need, and who seek human kindness.

Those who are homeless are reminders to always be kind to others; you never know what they've been through.

I was at dinner with my boyfriend, sitting in the outdoor seating section, when I noticed this guy walk by a few times, at one point with another lady. I don’t know his name, but I have seen him so many times with the three pets he keeps, two cats, and a small elderly dog. One of the cats, a tubbier tabby, sits on his shoulders as he moves through the crowds, while he holds the other orange tabby in what seems to be a homemade sling bag, similar to what one would carry an infant in. This tells me he cares for them, and has a tenderness when it comes to animals, thus ensuring their safety and security, as well as their comfort. The three animals are seemingly his only companions in this world. However, my fascination doesn’t end there.

He’s quiet, never approaches people abruptly, but rather silently sits there, on a blanket surrounded by the two cats and the dog; watching as we all walk by, and some, myself included, stop to hand him whatever change we have in our bags, hoping to have even a dollar or two for him, and his furry companions. The animals are his family… maybe his only family.

I often wonder about those who are homeless, and living on the streets, reliant on soup kitchens and shelters, at the mercy of others who have a couple of extra dollars. Whenever I am approached by someone asking for money, or see someone such as this man sitting with a sign, I often wonder if they have any sort of family, or even a distant human connection to help them out of their wretched life on the streets. I wonder if this was their choice–if they would rather live a much simpler life, simple but dependent on others, including complete strangers. But we all are dependent in some way–such as dependent on a job to earn money to pay our bills that come with services and items we depend on such as the internet, cell phones, computers, cars, and gasoline. We depend on farms and supermarkets who cultivate and sell our food and beverages respectively; ingredients to make a home cooked meal for family and friends. We depend upon our families and friends for support, as they do us. So when we think about it, the only difference between us, and a homeless individual is just that: whether or not we have a home to go to.

So perhaps, as I watch this man wander about with his furry companions, he may be content with his daily life, wandering the streets, depending upon others for help, sleeping where he can, and making his way as best he can. However, as previously stated, my curiosity doesn't end with him, but rather it has begun.