Self Portrait with Taylor Swift and a Roll of Toilet Tissue on my Head
Today was a hard day at the hospital. After I left I discovered a homeless man living in the doorway next to where I am building our new house. A large potentially threatening black man. He had a blanket and a knapsack that I had discovered there earlier.
A very clear "No Trespassing" sign hung in the entryway above him. I approached him prepared to tell him to leave. He seemed willing to leave without protest. Then I asked him his name. He told me, and offered up his ID card, a valid driver's license.
My heart softened. He did not appear to be an alcoholic or a smoker, nor an addict, and yes nurses can tell. He said he simply wasn't able to cover his light bill and had been evicted. He didn't ask for money or food. I told him I couldn't give him permission to be there, but I wouldn't call the police. He said he understood. I told him I'd appreciate it if he watched my place and intervene if it looked like anyone was trying to break in. He agreed.
Finally, I asked him if he needed anything. He did not ask for money. He did not ask for food. He asked for an old broom so he could sweep out the entry way. He left to go do his laundry, and I found him an old broom in the back of the studio, which I left in the doorway with his blanket. Later, as I was leaving the studio for the evening I saw Calvin again and gave him the sandwich I had not gotten a chance to eat at lunch.
Louisiana
1388 confirmed cases
46 deaths
Temp
97.6am
98.3pm
Self Portrait with Taylor Swift and a Roll of Toilet Tissue on my Head
Today was a hard day at the hospital. After I left I discovered a homeless man living in the doorway next to where I am building our new house. A large potentially threatening black man. He had a blanket and a knapsack that I had discovered there earlier.
A very clear "No Trespassing" sign hung in the entryway above him. I approached him prepared to tell him to leave. He seemed willing to leave without protest. Then I asked him his name. He told me, and offered up his ID card, a valid driver's license.
My heart softened. He did not appear to be an alcoholic or a smoker, nor an addict, and yes nurses can tell. He said he simply wasn't able to cover his light bill and had been evicted. He didn't ask for money or food. I told him I couldn't give him permission to be there, but I wouldn't call the police. He said he understood. I told him I'd appreciate it if he watched my place and intervene if it looked like anyone was trying to break in. He agreed.
Finally, I asked him if he needed anything. He did not ask for money. He did not ask for food. He asked for an old broom so he could sweep out the entry way. He left to go do his laundry, and I found him an old broom in the back of the studio, which I left in the doorway with his blanket. Later, as I was leaving the studio for the evening I saw Calvin again and gave him the sandwich I had not gotten a chance to eat at lunch.
Louisiana
1388 confirmed cases
46 deaths
Temp
97.6am
98.3pm