I think sometimes we ( by that I mean - me ), assume the worst without a shred of evidence; such as they're homeless because they're an addict/alcoholic, a convicted felon or just too lazy to hold down a job. I kept that bias for years, even while I myself was slobbering my way through acute alcoholism, until I saw a homeless man accost a would-be thief who was brandishing a gun and trying to rob an elderly couple. By the time I got there, the thief had run off...............and the homeless guy refused to take money from the couple, saying he was just doing his civic duty and didn't need to be rewarded.

I talked to the guy after the couple went on their way. It turns out the guy was a Veteran, was NOT an addict/alcoholic, NOT a convicted felon and NOT too lazy to hold down a job. He became homeless after trying to help his wife, who was also a Veteran and suffered from severe mental illness. His wife ran up huge credit card bills, messed up all their bills including mortgage payments and insurance, was arrested numerous times, which resulted in them going through their entire savings for legal fees. Finally, his wife was sent to prison, leaving him holding the (empty) bag. He lost his job because of bankruptcy, the IRS took everything else and no one would hire him because of his terrible credit score..............and thus............he became homeless. Needless to say, the VA was absolutely no help with his wife's problems.

I talked him into sharing a meal with me, put him in touch with the local American Legion and his county's Veteran Services Officer. His life is on the mend, not because of anything I did directly, but because of all the people who reached out to him once they knew someone needed help. All it took was taking the time to listen.

Have you ever been walking and encountered folks who are homeless? Have you ever crossed to the other side of the street, or redirected your gaze to avoid eye contact, and pretended they were not really there?

Come on now, be honest. I have, and I was not proud of myself when I did.

Another time, I was in downtown Humble , and I was walking out of a restaurant after a meal. I noticed a couple quietly sitting on the sidewalk, with a sign that said, “Homeless vet. No job. No food.”

So this time I decided to engage, not avoid. I asked if I could sit down and talk to them for a while. I also had a bag of takehomes and asked if they minded if I left the food. The man immediately gave the food to his wife.

As he began to talk, I just listened. He thanked me for the food and just for stopping. He went on to tell me how he had served in Iraq, came home, and worked construction. As the economy tightened, both he and his wife had lost their jobs, their home, and much of their dignity. This young man placed his life in harm’s way, for me, and for you. He thanked me repeatedly for the food, for stopping and listening to his story. I thanked him repeatedly for his service.

He did not need or deserve my pity, just my respect.

I try to no longer avoid the homeless, or pretend they don’t exist.

I think sometimes we ( by that I mean - me ), assume the worst without a shred of evidence; such as they're homeless because they're an addict/alcoholic, a convicted felon or just too lazy to hold down a job. I kept that bias for years, even while I myself was slobbering my way through acute alcoholism, until I saw a homeless man accost a would-be thief who was brandishing a gun and trying to rob an elderly couple. By the time I got there, the thief had run off...............and the homeless guy refused to take money from the couple, saying he was just doing his civic duty and didn't need to be rewarded.

I talked to the guy after the couple went on their way. It turns out the guy was a Veteran, was NOT an addict/alcoholic, NOT a convicted felon and NOT too lazy to hold down a job. He became homeless after trying to help his wife, who was also a Veteran and suffered from severe mental illness. His wife ran up huge credit card bills, messed up all their bills including mortgage payments and insurance, was arrested numerous times, which resulted in them going through their entire savings for legal fees. Finally, his wife was sent to prison, leaving him holding the (empty) bag. He lost his job because of bankruptcy, the IRS took everything else and no one would hire him because of his terrible credit score..............and thus............he became homeless. Needless to say, the VA was absolutely no help with his wife's problems.

I talked him into sharing a meal with me, put him in touch with the local American Legion and his county's Veteran Services Officer. His life is on the mend, not because of anything I did directly, but because of all the people who reached out to him once they knew someone needed help. All it took was taking the time to listen.