Dear "Mr Wendel"

Oh Homeless... what can I do?

For those that you live in the city you know its likely that you will run into a homeless person at least once a day. Here in Boston I know all the regulars their spots and routines. When I first moved here three years ago I used to give a buck or two a week sometimes less to a few guys that I used to walk by every night near my old apartment. I was especially generous on the way home from the bar on the weekends and they new it waiting for all the intoxicated students to walk by. They even new my name. But as I have grown accustomed to it all I am a little more cynical and I dont really give it out anymore. Sometimes they make me feel uncomfortable like when they approach you in a cornering attempt to get your change. I have ignored many on lots of occasions and walk away feeling guilty and shameful. Funny how that works but they get me every time. Although In the winter time I'm still a little generous especially when it is cold but it just does not feel like my place to do so.

Is that wrong? I think so. I would love to give more, even though every holiday season my family contributes to the salvation army and other charitable organizations I feel like it just isn't enough. These people on the streets are only a small benefactor of this system of organizations. Many of them ignored more often then helped. I know how tuff it can be with a paying job. Can you imagine how tuff it would be without and also the lack of understanding by all of us who walk the city streets everyday. By the way does anyone know what happened to the Weather Man in the Boston Common. I miss his loud voice and sports insights that used to spread laughter to all passerby's. We miss you Weather Man!!

Some of the homeless I see often work the crowd and have some sort of skit or performance, some good some not, but these people are good spirited and make me want to reach in my pocket and throw in some change. Especially the street performers that play in the Boston Subways. (some just do it as extra income) but for many of them its their main source of income. So even though I dont think Im going to spend any more I will always think about it first and sometimes throw in the change in my pocket. If I were rich I though in some extra. But for now I'm a little upset at the amount of you who keep hounding me for dollars when you catch me standing at the crosswalk or in the median at off ramp with a sign filled with small letters i can not read as your walking by.

Call me scrooge but I know your all guilty of this too!!

Above Photo: This is Mr Butch, He used to hang around in Allston MA every morning while I was waiting for the Boston T to class. He was the head honcho of the area and I always witnessed him keeping his homeless friends in line and out of trouble. He was always nice to the locals. I dont know if your still around and playing your Fife but thanks for all those days of entertainment and morning greetings. 2004 by J. Pinette