As a lot of you know, a couple weeks ago, I went and visited with some of our Homeless population. It was an embarrassing, yet liberating moment for me, to tell my friends that my Dad is one of them. I was expecting judgment and awkwardness, and I'm sure there was some of that, but mostly, I was overwhelmed by the LOVE and support I received from everyone. Man, do I love every single one of you.
I had not seen him in years and didn't know what condition to expect. I did not recognize my Dad at first sight, the elements and addiction had ruined his body, and I learned that he had been sleeping in a dumpster at night to keep safe from the gang violence that has been occurring in this park at night. The main reason I have allowed him to re-enter my life and am trying to help him get and stay sober is because I'm getting married in September and would like to have him walk me down the aisle.
The big lesson God taught me, was to not judge a book by it's cover. I know we have all heard that a million times. However, the people that we stereo type, look down on, laugh at, lock our doors around, judge, the people we assume are bad without knowing them, are the people who gave my Dad food, clothes, and a blanket that day.
So, all of this is to say I'm starting a new blog series called, 'Putting a Face to the Homeless'. We see homeless people everyday with cardboard signs and almost don't even think of them as people. I know I've done it, it's almost like they're just an object, like they're just another lamp post or street sign, just a part of the scenery. We may get a glimpse of their cardboard story, but we don't really know who they are or why they're there. Which makes it very easy to ignore and judge them.
My dad is a Father, a son, a brother, a friend, an artist, his name is Cal and he's a real person.
So, through out this blog series you will see me document my interaction with the homeless. Each post will be a look into the life of one of these people and their story. There may not be any real point to all of this but, my hopes are that it may encourage some of you to take the time to help.