A Recent Email Makes All The Difference

So, I've said it a million times, I'm tired. And in looking at some of my past writing, it's obvious - my level of concentration is low. Before I get back into more serious writing, I'll need to get some rest. How I'll get that I'm not certain. I do have a case manager working for my benefit, so maybe something of it will come soon.

And I have a feeling that this coming season, contention between different special interest groups regarding the homeless. And there will be a lot of work to do, in the fight over ideas about what is best for people, about how to make a better city, and about the truth. And let me say it again, I'll surely be saying more and more, "only the truth with end homelessness." People say all sorts of horribly untrue things about homeless people, as a justification for treating homeless people the way they do, but those things they say are distortions of the truth, if not outright lies. Those distortion, those lies are what I fight against, not to be contrary, or obstinate, or bellicose, but only to get at the real solutions to homelessness - to get to the point where homelessness is brought to an end.

I just received a nice email from a reader that has made a world of difference for me. At a time when I'm feeling down and discouraged, perhaps mostly because I am so tired, such messages from people bring me back to a good mind set.

"Hi Kevin,
I'm so glad you write this blog. The reasons I appreciate it are all overlapping in my head and it's taking some effort to sort them out so that I can express them, but I want to do this.

So much of what's written about homelessness speaks about the people suffering under it in the third person. There's so much lack of understanding of the realities of life, so much idiotic judgment and objectification, such a hideous lack of knowledge, especially when coupled with the tone of authority writers seem to take so often.

And I crave real voices who know this life for what it really is, speaking the truth so we can all learn it. I think the problem with that is that homelessness destroys people. Through the avenues you've described (lack of sleep, lack of privacy) along with all the other tortures endured, people on the street are robbed of their strength, stamina, so much of the vitality that feeds motivation and inspiration and creativity. It can't be easy to write when your body and mind have been worn or beaten to the edge of survival. So I imagine that many people with stories so very worth telling aren't in any shape to tell them. That thought makes me feel really sick, almost as much as the idea of homelessness itself.

I want to tell you, too, why this subject (and your writing on it) resonates so much with me. But I shudder every time I hear someone say "I know exactly how you feel" when they have a place to sleep, with a reasonable amount of security, every night. I don't want to be guilty of that. I'm not homeless. I feel that I've gotten very brief tastes of some aspects of what this life must be, though, and they've made me think and wonder, and rage...(the main part of this email was of a more personal nature)...

There's something I wanted to say too, about the way you tell it. I love your writing voice. You keep things simple and just tell the story, stressing important things people might miss, but there's so much in that simplicity. The intelligence and thoughtfulness and the nature of you that comes through, it's just a joy to read you. I am very grateful that you're telling this story. At the same time, of course, I wish it weren't yours to tell. Or anyone else's. But it is, so thank you for telling it."