Temporary Parking

Here was a homeless man's bicycle and cart he pulled from behind it, parked beside the wall I was taking photos of. Directly behind me for this entire shoot was a crowd of homeless people being fed by people from a church organization from the church across the street. There were about 15 homeless people or so. All had walked to this location but the guy who had this bike. I stood next to them, but didn't intrude on their lives. I wanted so badly to take pictures/portraits of them, but they were being fed and it didn't seem to be the right time to ask. I could hear their conversations...mainly of being grateful for the food, extra water that was brought and one man spreading the word of God to them.

 

I had $2 cash and some change on me. I gave what I had to the homeless people there. It was all that I could give. And for a moment, I still wished I had all the bags of clothing that I had just donated a few weeks ago to Good Will in the back of my trunk. I would have given all of it to these people/women sitting there. I didn't have one other thing to give.

 

I left humbled and drove past the projects in tears. I cannot explain more of what is going through my head, heart or thoughts; but it runs deep with compassion and empathy. Guilt. Guilt of what I have and they do not. What I should be doing more and don't.

 

The positive thing that I left with was these people getting fed a very good meal, with leftovers to take with them. I saw good, heartless people out feeding the homeless and bettering these homeless people's lives the best that they could. I know there is humanity out there amongst the bad things that can happen to people.

 

That's all there is to say.

Done