Mutuality in my friendships
There is a mutuality in my friendships with folx experiencing houselessness. One day last week I was having an especially hard time, and the first thing I realized I needed was hugs from my friends T and D. I needed THEM (not the other way around). That's how it goes when you love people. That's how it goes with friends. It actually doesn't matter where they live or what they're wearing or that all of their worldly possessions are in shopping carts, or really anything else. Love is love. And of course they were there for me, with hugs and laughs and love.
Tonight, my friend who lives in a van came over with spaghetti and meatballs and cooked for me and the boys. He also brought us turkey meat for school lunches and some cinnamon rolls. He knows I've been having a hard time and he is always thinking of ways to help. Him making us dinner took the load off my shoulders and meant so much to us. We all sat down together. The pasta was AWESOME. Perfectly cooked. I didn't know he had worked in Italian restaurants back in the day.
Once in awhile I bring my formerly houseless friend F shopping. No matter what mood we are in, I always cherish our time together because it is REAL. She is authentic. And if I ever needed her, she would be on a bus over here to help me. No questions asked. She's got my back.
About 4 years ago I came home and my boys were missing. My girl and I were freaking out. I had just called 911 when my friend M called me. I told him what was happening and he said, "I'm by the Burnside bridge but I'm coming to you now!" The man was an amputee in a wheelchair, racing over to find my boys.
I share these stories not because they make me special (I'm just a flawed human like the rest of ya'll), but because I want to break down the artificial barriers between the housed and the unhoused and share with all of you the enormous gifts that are possible in being open to connections with people you might otherwise never consider befriending. I want you to really see how special and remarkable so many people are that you might just walk by and never give a second thought to.
I have a vision for a few gatherings this summer to bring the housed and people experiencing houselessness together with art and music. If you think you might be interested, stay tuned!
Peace out beloveds.