“There’s an unceasing wind that blows through the night, and there’s dust in my eyes that blinds my sight, and silence that speaks louder than words, of promises broken” lyrics from the song “Sorrow” by Pink Floyd

Today, we had the privilege of serving 30 people.

• There were less of our friends about this morning with the night rain and the closing of Mainspring Shelter. There is a new shelter located on the VA campus.

• We met with our friend (Ray) who looked better than the last time we saw him.  Someone stole his sleeping bag, but he was able to get another one.  He mentioned that there were three overdoses the night before; luckily all were brought back by Narcan.  We fixed him up with snacks, Gatorade, tee shirts, our packet of $10 bill/$10 Dunkin Donuts card/prayer card.  He asked for some sneakers.  We told him we will have some next Saturday.

• We ran into our friends (Lee, Kay, Joe) asleep in a doorway.  We asked about (Robbie) who we had a pair of Crocs and compression socks for.  (Kay) told us he was committed to treatment.  He had lost all control of his bodily functions while holding himself up on his walker.  Last time we talked, he was so tired of going in and out of the hospital.  God bless Robbie.  We hope he gets the help he needs.  I was told what little money he has he spends on his street family.

• In speaking with (Lee), every week she asks for sweatpants.  I asked her what happens to all the new sweatpants we give her.  She replied, “I have accidents” which made me realize how degrading this must be for her to tell me this.  Rest assured I will never ask a question like that again.  Kathy and I got to talking about this exchange and realized it’s not like they go to the laundromat to do a wash.  Another life lesson for us; we just need to show up and provide them with love without any judgment or questions.

• It being Mother’s Day weekend, we didn’t want to bring up Mother’s Day to our friends seeing how they lost ability to care for their children.  It’s sad for both them and their children.

• I found myself getting upset with the same conversations we have with our friends about turning their lives around and yet nothing changes.  What we need to remind ourselves as Jim would say, “Remember the mission, to bring the love of Christ to those who suffer”.  (Thanks, Jim)
  

God Bless,

Kathy Flaherty

Shaun Teed and Tito

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“Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human,”   Henri Nouwen