Love Lifts Us Up
Heather Molans
Hurricane Andrew had blown through Miami causing serious and widespread damage, and construction workers arrived from all over the country. After the work dried up, some drifted around, still trying to find jobs. Numerous damaged, abandoned, commercial buildings sat empty, and jobless workers began living in them.
One day we noticed one holding his cardboard sign in one hand, and a rope with a puppy on it in the other. We began giving him a dollar and a dog biscuit almost daily as we passed by. Finally, we got to know them as John and Bubby. We got the dog vaccinated so he would have a license, and eventually a bond formed between the four of us.
John began to trust us after about a year and a half, and finally accepted our offer to help him get off the street. He took his place in the work force following alcohol rehabilitation, and eventually worked his way into a supervisory construction job paying over $125,000 annually.
We had met the other men in the encampment, and over a period of 10 years, got a total of 4 of them off the street. We became their family, becoming involved in their recovery, learning about addiction, and helping them find their way. They became productive members of society. We consider them our foster sons. They always have a place in our lives, and the love they return to us fills our hearts.
The key was love. However, another key was patience, and learning to work with professionals in the field. The homeless can sometimes have serious emotional and mental conditions, and care must be taken to really get to know them before giving them too much trust. In the end, all you need is love. It is the only thing that works.
All human beings deserve respect, no matter the circumstances in which they find themselves. Sometimes all a homeless person craves is that people will make eye contact with them and acknowledge their presence. Sometimes a hug is the greatest gift you can give.
Editor’s Note:
Spreading kindness... you never know in advance where the journey will take you, or how big the circles will spread from the "pebble in the pond" that you dropped in. Here's a suggestion from Heather: keep a few plastic bags, "Blessing Bags" in your car. You can put in a few dollars, granola bars, maybe some socks, gloves, a scarf or hat when it's cold, a gift certificate for McDonalds.... any combination, or just one item. Anything or everything helps, and then when you pass someone in need, you can just hand them the bag with a big smile. Wait 'til you see the one you get in return!
One day we noticed one holding his cardboard sign in one hand, and a rope with a puppy on it in the other. We began giving him a dollar and a dog biscuit almost daily as we passed by. Finally, we got to know them as John and Bubby. We got the dog vaccinated so he would have a license, and eventually a bond formed between the four of us.
John began to trust us after about a year and a half, and finally accepted our offer to help him get off the street. He took his place in the work force following alcohol rehabilitation, and eventually worked his way into a supervisory construction job paying over $125,000 annually.
We had met the other men in the encampment, and over a period of 10 years, got a total of 4 of them off the street. We became their family, becoming involved in their recovery, learning about addiction, and helping them find their way. They became productive members of society. We consider them our foster sons. They always have a place in our lives, and the love they return to us fills our hearts.
The key was love. However, another key was patience, and learning to work with professionals in the field. The homeless can sometimes have serious emotional and mental conditions, and care must be taken to really get to know them before giving them too much trust. In the end, all you need is love. It is the only thing that works.
All human beings deserve respect, no matter the circumstances in which they find themselves. Sometimes all a homeless person craves is that people will make eye contact with them and acknowledge their presence. Sometimes a hug is the greatest gift you can give.
Editor’s Note:
Spreading kindness... you never know in advance where the journey will take you, or how big the circles will spread from the "pebble in the pond" that you dropped in. Here's a suggestion from Heather: keep a few plastic bags, "Blessing Bags" in your car. You can put in a few dollars, granola bars, maybe some socks, gloves, a scarf or hat when it's cold, a gift certificate for McDonalds.... any combination, or just one item. Anything or everything helps, and then when you pass someone in need, you can just hand them the bag with a big smile. Wait 'til you see the one you get in return!