Faces In The Line

It's getting chilly out there, and we are still serving outside. I thought I was more prepared this week, wearing a down filled jacket and mini gloves, but I swear the place where we serve is some kind of wicked wind tunnel, I freeze every time regardless.

I tend to complain a lot when I'm cold, which I know isn't very becoming for a prairie girl, but I admit it, I'm a wimp. But in this setting, amongst people who live and sleep in the cold for a good part of the year, I'm embarrassed to complain. Because I'm fortunate to have a home to go back to, to be able to take a hot shower to warm up, to have cozy clothes to change into, and a hot dinner to warm my insides. And that's exactly what I did after serving.

It is for this reason that I can say with certainty that I don't have even half the strength of these people. Because there is no way I would be able to manage living on the street as these people do.

Some came with pretty good gear, while others didn't. One poor man even came in barefeet which led to one volunteer actually washing his feet for him, and getting something for him to wear afterward. What an example of karuna (compassion)! Even those lucky enough to get a shelter bed still spend a lot of time outside. Well I just couldn't do it. They are simply stronger and more resilient than I am. And I'm humble enough to admit it.

This post is titled "Faces In The Line" as I'd like to introduce you to some regulars who I very much enjoy seeing every week. I of course have to start with "Charlotte," the solvent abuser who you may have read about in "The Meaning of a Picture." She came today in a nice, warm looking jacket, all bundled up and ready for fall. I was happy to see that she has some warm clothes and hope she hangs on to them, as I know that possessions don't last long when one lives the kind of life she does. The pictures I gave her only lasted a couple weeks.


I always call out to "Charlotte" by name when I see her, and today she seemed to be in good spirits which isn't so typical when one sniffs. Surprisingly she recognized who I was, and stood there clearly thinking to herself, after which she mentioned that her son was now 14. I said something like "man, I'm getting old!" She smiled at that and clearly enjoyed being able to converse about her son. I suspect that her son and daughter may be the only good things to come from her hard life, and the only things that she can express some pride in. So it's always great to see her and to share a positive thought or memory..

Another favourite of mine is a tall, burly man with long grey hair and a matching beard. My first week volunteering I was chatting with him in line during which he told me that people called him Moses because of his beard. So I said to him, "well people could call you worse things eh?" He liked that, and so since then I've called him Mr. Moses. Between his appearance, jolly nature and hearty chuckle, boy he would make a great Santa! We chat each time he comes, and usually about the mint candies that I handed out to him one day. He always makes sure to tell me how much he enjoyed those mints, and how he sure would like to have some again (while chuckling of course)! So next week it might just be time to bring him his own special bag because those mints clearly make him a happy guy :)

Then there is Robert; a tall, gangly, intellectual looking guy who is literally a genius I'm sure. He always shows up near the end of serving time, not to eat, but just to chat with us volunteers. He delivers newspapers for The Sun and each week brings extras to give out to us. He typically has 2-3 different paper options for us..The Sun, Metro..you name it, he usually has it! You always get a tap on the shoulder and turn to find him asking if you need a paper. You sure? he always asks. I never have time to read the paper it seems so I always decline. After the newspaper regime he then goes into his weekly trivia question, starting with "Shorty (which I think he calls all of us) let me ask you a question.." He takes these trivia questions very seriously let me tell you! Well back to my humility, I honestly feel dumb every time because I never know the answers. But I enjoy the time we chat each week regardless.

Robert tells me that instead of delivering papers, he would prefer a warehouse job, but doesn't know how to drive a forklift which he says is a requirement. And to take the training would cost $500 which he doesn't have. I sure wish there was a company that did some on the job training (and maybe there is, who knows), as there is no doubt Robert would be a hard, reliable worker. It's clear to me though that he has the capacity to do so much more, but must have some issues that interfere with those abilities.

My other favourite is my buddy from Nunuvat; a young guy with a big friendly grin, albeit with a few missing teeth :) Weeks ago we were serving a salmon casserole, and while others were commenting on its fishy smell, this guy was thrilled with the option, telling me that he loved any kind of fish as he was from Nunuvat. He told me that he missed the North where he used to live off the land and eat the best of what nature has to offer. It was summer at that time and he was finding it too hot. Not what he was used to that's for sure. Well today, as I was shivering in the wind, I called out to "my Nunuvat friend," and asked him "is it cold enough for you yet?" Well people always like to be recognized, and I'm sure even more when they're invisible to most of society. Well he lit up, smiled that big toothless grin, and said nope, that he preferred -50 or -60! I sensed a feeling of pride when he said those words; for being able to handle conditions that most of us couldn't, or wouldn't like to. And as a wimpy prairie girl, I have to say, he should be proud!


If you are interested in reading future posts about my work with the homeless in Guatemala (I have another trip planned in late November!) or in Winnipeg, please like my Facebook page "Karuna in Guatemala" and stay tuned!!