It's so sad. Even though Ches & I haven't worked with the homeless for over a year now, we still hear what's going on. It just got to be too much. After 5 years we just couldn't handle seeing them waste their lives...true, 2 or 3 success stories not to be dismissed but we'd just had enough.
Lori died last week. Natural Causes. Um...besides the bruises and rumors that "Cowboy" beat her up. Normally 45 year old women don't crawl behind the newpaper building and die of natural causes. Lori was such a cute girl...sweet face...had a HUGE crush on Ches. She would just giggle when he'd talk to her. He'd always tell her she was pretty and would tell her she deserved more. She worked for us for a few weeks and was an awesome worker. We have some pretty crappy work to do and she was great! She'd listen to sermons from Pastor Hooper over and over. I gave her a Bible, CD player and several sermons and she'd bring them to work and just jam out on that or the Christian Station. She wanted a better life as well. But, she couldn't separate herself from the men. She just needed that affirmation from them and the men on the street aren't too nice. Maybe nice enough until they get drunk. There were so many times that she got beat up by men she loved.
Well, so what do you do? Forget about her. There was no obit, no memorial service, she's just gone. And her memory with her group living in the park will pass.
....Just like it did with Carrie. Beat up several times by her boyfriend, Glen. She lived outside as long as I knew her. Had a love for cats and would share her tent with 6 or 7 cats. She was so sweet. Glen made her stand on the corner with a sign. I'd see them and go to the store to get food. She loved fruit so we'd pack up on that. She even came to church with us on Christmas Eve. That was fun. I took her to Walmart once to get her some steel toed boots so she could defend herself when Glen got drunk. She hadn't changed her socks in weeks and it was a sight and smell I'll never forget. Glen did get thrown in jail for one winter. He'd kicked her so hard in the face that it had broken her cheek bones. Once again I couldn't get her to go to a shelter so she spent the winter sleeping alone outside. She would sometimes sneak onto a guy's porch and cover herself with garbage so no one would know she was there. I'd buy her gloves and hand warmers. And bananas. She died a few months ago. Natural causes.
Judy...she didn't pass away. Just living in an institution now after crossing the highway and walking in front of a motorhome. They like to make her out as a heroine. Stories go around how she walked out of the hospital and into the sunset because the doctors wouldn't let her have a beer. The truth is that she remembers nothing and no one can take care of her so she got sent somewhere in Denver. Mental capacity of a 7 year old.
Is there an answer? I just get so mad and frustrated. We gave all we had to help them. Jobs, food, counseling, clothes, rides, birth certificates. And nothing. So, after 5 years we just quit. And their lives keep spiraling.
2 comments:
OH SO SAD. yes spiraling lives, but you made a difference, whether you realize it or not, don't give up.... hugs
cyndy
Lisa,
I just stumbled upon your Blog and read this post. I would like to first say "Thank you" to you and your husband for putting yourselves out their to all of those people. I too have helped homeless people and have counseled battered women. It does get very frustrating and all you can every do really is pray for them. I am in total awe of you and admire the person you are and the example that you and your husband are showing to your children every single day!!!!
Post a Comment