It was a busy night of shopping. January sales all over the city. Even though it was cold, shoppers are taking advantage of the event. I notice a group of men warming up to a good conversation field with laughter drinking Starbucks coffee. One man has a sign hanging from his neck, scrawled “Free Hugs.” People passed him by, not even glancing at him. Nobody wants a hug from him. But I did. It was that hug from a stranger that warmed me on a cold night in January, and I can still feel the memory lingering in my mind.
The day starts early for us to prepare healthy home cooked meals at the soup kitchen. Hundreds of people come here not just for food but also to warm up and meet common folks like me. We are the hoi polloi talking the talk and walking the walk. The hoity-toity will not survive here.
Oppenheimer Park across the soup kitchen was a tent city inhabited by the homeless. Some are addicted to drugs and alcohol. The combination of these could is deadly. The homeless take care of one another. They erected a first aid tent. Do not go to the park on your own was the first advice from the soup kitchen. But I did. One thing I noticed, they love their pets.
I love purchasing calendars for fundraising purposes. Megaphone features winning photos taken with disposable devices distributed in the Downtown Eastside. One of my favorite vendors has the most beautiful smile even though she is physically challenged, using an electric wheelchair to get around the city. This is her livelihood.
his vehicle has so many stories to tell, from reality to religious decals, such as: “You mean shopping for more useless crap isn’t the meaning of life?”; “Cheer for Canda!”; “Jesus is coming. look busy.” What a fascinating vehicle. The owner of the car has so many stories, too. One thing that stayed in my mind how it all started was due to a mid-life crisis. Yes, he is still married. Yes, he has a good job. Yes, he has children. They all are still together — what a fascinating man.
‘Everything’s a story. You are a story. I am a story.’ ~Frances Hodgson Burnett
Photographs and Memories 
These photographs of people are amazing, though my favorites are the Free Hugs and the man with the stickers covering his car. Absolutely wonderful collection!
Thank you. So far the iphone did a good job in taking these photos.
A terrific post Perpetua!!
Thank you.
All it takes to hear a story is a smile and a ‘Hi.’ I enjoyed this, Perpetua.
Hi Lois, smiling with you. Thank you.
An excellent topic this week Perpetua, especially considering we are entering winter here in the US and the homeless are so very vulnerable. Also the pandemic has driven so many to soup kitchens and food banks. Here in Charleston the food bank is far busier than usual as so many have lost their sources of income.You are a living example “whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me,” You have my sincere respect and admiration.
I really feel for all those who have been furloughed and in need for food. I know what it’s like to have no food and hungry. Thank you, Tina.
These are lovely photos. Thank you for sharing them and your words.
Thank you, Dawn.
It takes courage to do all these blessings.
I know I’m far from doing any of these.
God bless you and in all the things you do 😍🥰🙏- Poteet
Oh, you are definitely there for having the gift, Poteet. Thank you.