“Now I’m not looking for absolution, forgiveness for the things I do, but before you come to any conclusions, try walking in my shoes”. Lyrics from song “Walking in My Shoes” by Depeche Mode

Today, we had the privilege of serving 35 people.

• Each Saturday starts with mixed emotions of not knowing what kind of shape our friends will be in.  But we were blessed to have an extra angel with us this morning – our good friend Jack Cahill.  I’m sure Jim was very happy up there knowing his good friend was riding shotgun.

• We ran into a new friend (Manuel) with a blanket over him sitting next to a parking meter.  All of his worldly possessions were scattered over the sidewalk.  When we approached him and asked if he needed any help, he removed his blanket revealing his amputated legs with open rash wounds from navigating the sidewalks to get into his wheelchair.  He seemed confused but I showed him our packet of $10 bill/$10 Dunkin Donuts card/prayer card and he said, “Oh yes!”.  We fixed him up with some water and snacks.  We asked him if he needed anything else and he replied, “No, I heard about you guys”.  We left him with a God Bless.

• We ran into our friend (Ray).  He looked to be in a lot of discomfort pushing his shopping cart.  We asked him how he was doing, and he replied, “alright”.  He said he had a persistent nosebleed that wouldn’t stop.  He has been going back and forth with Mass Health trying to get an appointment to get an EKG.  Unfortunately, our friends don’t go to the top of the list because of their lifestyle where others can walk in and get treated right away.  It’s sad when people are compartmentalized by their poor life choices. As I have written before, our friends can put a strain on the health care system, but how does the line get drawn when we stop treating people as human beings.  Jesus never put people in compartments; he went among the sinners, the sick, the lonely, never judging.  “Try walking in my shoes.”  

• We ran into our friend (Sarah) in her wheelchair.  She was not very happy.  We asked why and she said someone had stolen her money when she was sleeping.  In desperate times people will do desperate things, her friend who used to push her around was nowhere to be seen. Our friend (Bosch) is back in the hospital having issues with his leg and walking.

• All in all, it was a good morning seeing some new and old friends.  For some of our friends whom we had not seen in a few weeks, we were able to give out sneakers, sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, along with our usual snacks, Gatorade, water.

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We have changed our location for Donations for OSM from Holy Cross Retreat House to My Brother’s Keeper.  We currently have a box in the main stairway on the 1^st floor of MBK.

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God Bless,

Liz Londergan

Jack Cahill

Shaun Teed

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“I may not remember what someone said to me, but I do remember how they made me feel”.  Said by a friend.

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