I had a totally different column ready for this weekend but then I made a trip to Toronto and my topic drastically changed.
One of my favorite things to do to pass the time while John is busy with meetings, is to people-watch. I headed down Queen Street towards the Eaton Centre, which is one of the busiest places in the area.
As I wandered in the early morning, around 10:00 a.m., the first person I encountered was this man (picture 1). I slowed my pace as I walked by and then looked ahead to notice another person lying on the sidewalk (picture 2). After I passed by the second man, I pulled over to the side to observe the way people took in this scene. I counted as 37 people walked by these two men in less than a one block area and NOT ONE person even batted an eye. What the hell is wrong with people?
I understand that if you see this as part of your daily ritual, you begin to become oblivious to your surroundings. I must admit that from the first time I witnessed a homeless person, until now, I've become rather accustomed to the sight. However, for someone to not even glance over or have any sort of reaction, frankly makes me sad. I can't believe that not one passerby hasn't any compassion, if not curiosity.
The first time I encountered this, people that were accustomed to seeing this, told me many different stories. Stories of how these people would beg for money, fill their cups up and then live a finer life in another part of the city, than I did. They told me how these people would take the money and sit in the bar or go buy drugs until the next time they needed cash. There are talks of scams and cheating that are hard to believe.
But what about the real homeless people? These men were sleeping on the grates of the street where the heat comes up from the subway, just to keep warm. I'm sorry. That's just not right. How does this happen? These same storytellers tell me that these homeless people are just lazy. They spend their money on drugs and gambling. Wow!!!
In this day of plenty, we in little old Weyburn, Saskatchewan cannot even fathom the idea of sleeping on the street or going without. Some of us cannot even imagine not having heated seats in our vehicle, let alone a warm bed in which to sleep. What has happened to our compassion for others? I'm not naive enough to believe that some of these shenanigans don't exist. After all, I do watch Dr. Phil!
Even I have somehow been able to walk past the person with the cup and not give, but I still acknowledge. I still have some sort of reaction to a person who has to do this to survive.
I spent my down time in Toronto wondering if the person in the wheelchair, who was begging, went home that night and walked into a lovely home. Isn't that terrible? We have been so swayed by scammers and fraud. All I know, is the one cup I can't walk by this time of year, is the Salvation Army kettle. I don't care if I only have a quarter with me, it's going in that kettle. I rely on this organization to help the people who really need it. Even though you may not think we have this problem in little old Weyburn, because you don't see people lying on the streets - we do have a problem with people who don't have food in their cupboards. This is not because these people are lazy, but because they have to pay for a roof over their heads and sometimes there is nothing left of a paycheque to cover anything else.
If you have no idea what that's like because you are abundantly blessed, then please head down to Barber Motors or the Salvation Army and drop off your food donation. Let's help out the people who really need it this holiday season.
Facebook saying of the week: I don't have time to worry about who doesn't like me. I'm too busy loving the people who love me. Amen to that!
Pet peeve of the week: When people don't take the time to scrape their windows before they head out on the road. This is extremely dangerous to not only you, the driver, but to other drivers.
That's just me......let me know what you think!
