Riches to Rags

Riches to Rags

Sometime during the winter; when the trees were bare, when the air was cold and when one wasnot found without a cup of coffee in hand, Ryan and I decided to venture to Akron. Grabbing a coffee for a person we didnt know seemed slightly odd. But we didn't care. Our goal was to find someone in need to talk to who maybe needed more than just food. (maybe just needed our time) Around 5pm (30-60mins after), we spotted only one homeless man standing on a corner by a busy intersection while holding up a sign that said "I Need Food". We parked at a old and vacant lot adjacent to where the man was standing and made our way towards him with a cup of coffee in one hand and hope in the other. He smiled as we said hello. We asked him how he was and other 'along the line' questions like the weather. Then we handed him the coffee however he refused, declaring that it would keep him up at night. Which was understandable. I was outside only for 5, maybe 10 minutes and i was shivering. I thought, 'How could this man with a light jacket and pants with holes be standing out here for so long?'. As we started to leave, Ryan and I agreed we should get him some food just to help out. As I drove I thought of how this middle aged man did not fit the ideal homeless person i've always pictured. He was clean-cut, spoke clearly, hair maintained, no smell of alcohol or drugs on his breath and his attitude towards everything was much different than what I expected. We came back with the food in hand. The man was very grateful. He then began to open up more as we asked more questions about how he got there, what he did before, etc.He was married, had 2 children, had 5 years of college under his belt and was at one point going back to school to get his Masters to be an english teacher. His father was a Doctor. He grew up in a normal, upper class household. But then when his wife divorced him, he had no job so was left to the streets. "God has a way of humbling you" he quoted after telling us this. For him, he said "...this has been an eye opening and humbling experience he won't ever forget".No one, not even his parents or children know that he is homeless and in this extreme condition. He went on to explain that he lives just a block away in a garage and that the food he collects he keeps for storage while rationing it out. That day alone he was outside for more than 5 hours and he had still 3 to go. One of the last things he said before we were on our way, was that he will "... get out of this soon enough and finish my education to be a english professor." Overall this experience made me happy that we were just able to talk with him and let him share. I also learned that not all homeless are who or what we think of as homeless. Most of themare people, just like me and you, who once had goals and dreams, but by one event turned their world upside down. Not everyone has a home, or family or even friends to talk to, or share with.That's where we come in. Love In Action! P.S. Hopefully sometime soon, we will be making our way back to see how he is!I will let you know! :) Thank you for Reading!