Story time of how important listening to people is:
So today I had to head into the city despite the lock down happening here in Ireland. When I was done with what I had to get done, I wanted to quickly drop into the supermarket before heading back home.
In front of the supermarket, there was this woman (maybe early/mid 30s). She was sitting on the floor like many homeless people and holding a cup for change while continuously crying quietly. She was clearly in a huge amount of distress. And I understand! I don't usually carry around cash, because it makes me uncomfortable. So I headed into the shop, bought a warm meal, drink, fruit, and a candy for her. Thought it's better than nothing.
Headed back out and she was just sobbing so hard, she barely got a single word out. So I thought I'd stay a little bit.
Asked her if she wanted to talk a little.
She told me a bit about how she ended up on the street and what she was going through, how she was also scared with the virus going around, how people treat her in a mean and disrespectful manner, always assuming she wants the money for drugs when she really was just trying to collect enough to get a bed for the night at a hostel. She told me how she had come off her pill addiction and still remained clean. How hard it is to not get back into the addiction on the street. I let her her talk and listened to her, until she had spoken her mind and frustration and sadness, all of it. And the more she spoke the less she cried.
I know I can't do much, but listening actively, a few encouraging words (not empty), a hot meal, was really helpful for her.
She looked exhausted and tired and must have been crying for hours with her eyes all red and swollen.
I asked her how much she was missing for the hostel, then went and topped her up for that.
She started crying again: "How do I deserve this?"
So I reminded her that she is a human being with needs and that is why she deserves that.
Where has humanity gone that some people feel that they aren't even worthy of having their basic needs met - a bed, a shower for once, a bit of food.
I stuck around a little longer before I left and saw her leave towards the hostel before I got on the bus home.
All that people need sometimes is talk and just receive basic kindness. Live on the street is dangerous, especially for women. It is exhausting. Going to the free hostels for homeless people is dangerous because you get stabbed over a pair of shoes. These people never get a break and so they break. Please be kind to one another and don't look down judgmentally at homeless people. Most of us are one paycheck away from being in the same situation.
And this is, btw, not the first time I have taken some time to sit down and listen and talk with a homeless people. I do that occasionally, when I have some time to spare. So it is not the first time I encounter this scenario.
Had a similar thing happen about a year ago, around Christmas time with a homeless guy in front of another store. I gave him some food, then headed home to pack up some warm clothes I wanted to donate anyway. When I brought him those, he collapsed into my shoulder sobbing. He showed me a fresh wound where he had been attacked in the homeless shelter and told me that this was why he didn't want to stay there any more even if that meant he had to sleep on the street.
Also I am aware that some are just scam artists, but I trust my guts, they have not betrayed me so far.
Anyway, please be kind to those around you. Everybody is human.
So today I had to head into the city despite the lock down happening here in Ireland. When I was done with what I had to get done, I wanted to quickly drop into the supermarket before heading back home.
In front of the supermarket, there was this woman (maybe early/mid 30s). She was sitting on the floor like many homeless people and holding a cup for change while continuously crying quietly. She was clearly in a huge amount of distress. And I understand! I don't usually carry around cash, because it makes me uncomfortable. So I headed into the shop, bought a warm meal, drink, fruit, and a candy for her. Thought it's better than nothing.
Headed back out and she was just sobbing so hard, she barely got a single word out. So I thought I'd stay a little bit.
Asked her if she wanted to talk a little.
She told me a bit about how she ended up on the street and what she was going through, how she was also scared with the virus going around, how people treat her in a mean and disrespectful manner, always assuming she wants the money for drugs when she really was just trying to collect enough to get a bed for the night at a hostel. She told me how she had come off her pill addiction and still remained clean. How hard it is to not get back into the addiction on the street. I let her her talk and listened to her, until she had spoken her mind and frustration and sadness, all of it. And the more she spoke the less she cried.
I know I can't do much, but listening actively, a few encouraging words (not empty), a hot meal, was really helpful for her.
She looked exhausted and tired and must have been crying for hours with her eyes all red and swollen.
I asked her how much she was missing for the hostel, then went and topped her up for that.
She started crying again: "How do I deserve this?"
So I reminded her that she is a human being with needs and that is why she deserves that.
Where has humanity gone that some people feel that they aren't even worthy of having their basic needs met - a bed, a shower for once, a bit of food.
I stuck around a little longer before I left and saw her leave towards the hostel before I got on the bus home.
All that people need sometimes is talk and just receive basic kindness. Live on the street is dangerous, especially for women. It is exhausting. Going to the free hostels for homeless people is dangerous because you get stabbed over a pair of shoes. These people never get a break and so they break. Please be kind to one another and don't look down judgmentally at homeless people. Most of us are one paycheck away from being in the same situation.
And this is, btw, not the first time I have taken some time to sit down and listen and talk with a homeless people. I do that occasionally, when I have some time to spare. So it is not the first time I encounter this scenario.
Had a similar thing happen about a year ago, around Christmas time with a homeless guy in front of another store. I gave him some food, then headed home to pack up some warm clothes I wanted to donate anyway. When I brought him those, he collapsed into my shoulder sobbing. He showed me a fresh wound where he had been attacked in the homeless shelter and told me that this was why he didn't want to stay there any more even if that meant he had to sleep on the street.
Also I am aware that some are just scam artists, but I trust my guts, they have not betrayed me so far.
Anyway, please be kind to those around you. Everybody is human.
2+2=4
