Last night on the radio I listened to a man who had lost his home and almost everything he and his family owned to Hurricane Sandy. He, his very pregnant wife and small child were given $5000 for recovery, and put up in a posh New York hotel in Times Square. The man spoke of how the family tried to stretch this money out, by buying only essentials, shopping at Walmart and eating fast food, but after replacing clothing and living for these weeks, the dollars are nearly gone. He said that on January 12th the family must vacate the hotel and he has no place to go. He had lost his job before the hurricane and was barely making ends meet. Now his son is being moved from school to school, his wife is bereft and frantic over delivering her baby into this insecurity, and he is trying to stay grounded and be strong. He said that he has no idea what they are to do after the next two weeks and wonders if entering the world of street and shelter living is what is next.
The feeling of isolation and hopelessness.
How can any of we humans, ever turn a blind eye or deaf ear, to someone on the street in need? Every single person has a story that brought him there, and every single one needs the blessing and boost that a kind word or supportive gesture brings.