When I was Homeless

Dear Man,

I never thought the day would come when I would be homeless.

That was a lie.

I saw it coming. But I didn’t know how long it would take.

Many would say it was a test, equanimity tested. From my perspective I think I got through the trial.

In flying colours?

*

But you as a man, you were homeless for many days, longer than I would’ve been. Gave me your blankets and showed me where the toilets were — the ones I could use that weren’t barred to the public late at night.

First I was sitting near a Primark, but you weren’t there. I would find you when I rounded the corner. After I met you, the sky and I were in discourse, mostly wordless but a conversation none the less.

I believed I asked the question.

‘Why?’

But it responded with rain, and I thought it sounded good enough to sit back and listen. It was trying to lull me to sleep, the promise that I’d feel better tomorrow. Except I could not sleep, it was too dangerous — but the only thing that took advantage of me was the fear I felt, imminent peril never came.

Though the sky wept for us.

*

There were many that drove by offering me food and water. I was imperturbable, no longer asking why. More and more they would come, but police came too. Asking me:

‘Have you seen this woman?’

I hoped that she was okay. The blanket that was wrapped around me gave me hope enough for the both of us.

**

I was housed for a little while, the people there were nice. This was why I eventually disappeared, but I did not forget you. I wanted to take you with me, but anything I would ask of anyone would be too much, I knew enough to ask for only what they could give.

*

I don’t know where you are right now, but I hope you are safe enough to be happy. I was the one that made sure those blankets were:

Washed,

Fresh and soft.

I brought them back to you as soon as I could. But that’s not enough to express my gratitude to you.

I hope you know that it wasn’t because those blankets didn’t deserve a place in my home, it was so you could have something clean and soft, not so that I could have more than enough.

You showed me that some of the nicest people are the ones that are homeless, but that’s not to exclude everyone else. You’re someone that I value so much in memory, so much to promote your goodness to everyone.

And this was your story, you were homeless like me and you extended your hand without question.

You taught me many things.

To be content with little.

That the day will come when I would get more, but never to judge life based on the pace of it.

~~~

You were nice to me when you needed much, I hope this letter reaches you when you need little. But if not, I hope all the homeless people would know that when we divert our eyes away, it usually means we ourselves, don’t have anything to give; and if we did, we would not know how much is too much.

It hurts me the way it hurts you to be out in the cold. I know your fingers go numb, but your hearts burn with hope.

It counts.

For what it’s worth, thank you.

Not from a stranger but from someone you knew deeper.

Sincerely yours,

Caitlin ♥️

Please write back to me with your name 🙂🙏

A/N: Thank you for reading if you got this far 🙏♥️