Sometimes, well most times we do not see, or choose not to see the homeless and disadvantaged among us.
Yesterday I walked the mean streets of Hamilton with friends and was amazed by the numbers of homeless, transient and ‘lost’ souls who inhabit that part of town.
One of the first people I ‘met’ was smiling, laughing and walking with a spring in his step. He had just been ‘released’ and was making his way home with a small bag of possessions.
Can you imagine how that feels?
No neither can I but I caught a glimpse of it in those few moments.
Another, just a working man trying to get by was working a pump extracting grease and oil from the fryers at a local restaurant. If you have ever smelled old grease you can imagine how this scene was but he worked with a smile and was more than happy to chat about his job. He even posed for a photograph.
Can you imagine such a job ?
No neither can I and I am grateful that I do not have to do it.
As we walked I watched my friend Grant engage these people and many more with a quick word and a smile often convincing them to pose for a photograph.
He has a way with people from all walks of life, especially the downtrodden.
Watching him engage total strangers in conversation was and is inspiring.
“It’s easy to be nice to people” was his only comment.
Yes it is but unfortunately it is easier to walk on by pretending they do not exist.
“The next evolutionary step for humankind is to move from human to kind”. ~Author Unknown
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