What we went through wasn't that bad, compared to others

One thing that homeless people worry the least about is travel insurance!

Decades ago I had the chance of meeting some of the Pacific Gardens Shelter residents in Chicago. I learned first hand what someone faces when being 'dropped' into a metropolitan landscape with no means to exist. While I don't discount the validity that this and other places serve a purpose, they should in no way be seen as 'the answer' to America's homeless problems.

Regularly I saw a handful of men leaving out on papertrucks that would come by, opting to hawk newspapers on busy streetcorner intersections in some of the foulest weather. It was a commission based business, and got me enough in a few hours to pay for a $2.00 hamburger at the local Burger King. Not knowing where anything was, I wasn't about to give anyone the idea I had funds on me by asking where a grocer was...even though there was one on the other side of the block.

I kept in that microcosm for about a week and a half, other than the jaunts in and out of it using the local Metra system, all the while aware of the roaming 'gang bangers'...groups of kid gangs...that were known to roll one or two men found alone and off the beaten path.

I came to my senses by the end of two weeks, and walked to the nearest on ramp of the interstate hoping to get to warmer climates and denizens. The point of this entry is that while my family may have had it hard, there are much worse places to be homeless.

Just food for thought. Happy holidays, everyone!