Andy

"Sometimes it gets so cold at night I can't sleep 'cause I'm shaking so much," Andy told me this morning.  He had spent another night sleeping on the stoop of a vacant local business.  "I think they'll make me move soon - looks like some store is moving into the space." Andy offered me a piece of bread that a stranger had given to him moments before.  "Want some?  It's pretty good, kinda sweet."  I took a piece and we sat quietly eating sweet bread together on a bench. 

Andy has been living on the streets for 20 years - more than half his life.  He told me he suffers from some type of mental illness that prevents him from being an attractive candidate to most employers.  "I can't even get cleaned up most days." Andy draws a small monthly check as a result of his illness, but not nearly enough to get into an apartment.  "The missions are full and I'm looking at finding a new place for the winter," he said.  "My family don't want me, and my friends out here can't help, either.  I've tried to get something, but it never works." Andy invited me back to his street home at a later date so that I can talk with his friends.  I will take him up on the offer.  Perhaps bringing some of my own bread the next time. 

Mental illness and homelessness.  I don't have answers to the problems, but I do know that Andy's gentle soul warmed my heart this morning.  For that, I am grateful.