Seeing the Invisible
Whit on Michigan south of Randolph, Chicago, IL, 2017. He had a black
right eye. His hands were shaking. He did not look up until I touched
him.
CJ on Michigan and Madison, Chicago, IL, 2017.
Gregory at Kedzie and Interstate 94. Chicago, IL. 7/30/17.
Amanda in downtown Portland, Maine: Patton and Fore St., 8/5/17.
Jimmy on Michigan and Monroe, Chicago, IL, 8/20/17.
Jimmy had missing teeth, but was very positive. He blessed me many times,
even laying his hand on my head.
Jason on Michigan and John H. Bryan Blvd, Chicago, IL, 8/20/17.
When I came upon Jason, he was eating a sandwich and had the bottle of water by side, so I asked him if he was really homeless. He responded, "Oh, yes," and that he lived in the archway of a nearby building, and that homelessness was "very hard". Perhaps his sign had encouraged others to give him the sandwich and the water. As I talked with him, it became apparent from his smell that he really was homeless.
Phyllis in front of Valois Restaurant in Hyde Park, Sept. 4, 2017. Cheerful smile. She wished me good health.
Bob came up to me in front of the Fairfield Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. He asked for $1.25 so he could get to ER and get treatment for his hand. He said he lived under a nearby bridge. I gave him $10, shook his left hand, and wished him luck.
Dan at Clark & Wells in downtown Chicago. Nov. 21, 2017. Wished me a Happy Thanksgiving.
There were a billion people at Kris Kindle Market at Daley Center in downtown Chicago. Keven was sitting at the border of the crowd. He thanked me for asking to take his picture - "some people just take it," he said. When I pointed out I had put $10 in his cup, he looked down and exclaimed, "Ooh!"
Met Keith in Colorado Springs. His sign read, "Have a good Easter." Found out he moved to Colorado from Louisiana because his grandma said it was beautiful here. He's been panhandling for 6 weeks. Said it was not difficult getting food, but fuel for heat was often a problem (he has a miniature heater). He lives in a camp (under the bridge behind him in the picture) with a homeless couple. He had a job when he first came here, but ran into difficulties when he found out he had prostate cancer. Is currently seeking treatment.