It’s such a hard line to walk eh?  Compassion and safety.  But walk it we must.  It so heartbreaking how brutal the streets are, the mental illness, drug addiction and alcoholism...brutal and so hard to change.

i came face-to-face with my own ghoul a couple weeks ago, and maybe i’ve grown up or he’s grown down (you know what i mean) but he didn’t scare me.  in fact, i found myself praying for him, later that night.  it didn’t make me feel better, and who (Who) knows if it actually helps.  i’m glad you wrote this.  and glad i read it.  thanks.

Since I live in a small town I don’t really have many homeless here, although when I go to the city I see quite a few. I have a hard time with it as I want to show compassion but at the same time I realize that unless you buy them the food they will more likely spend your change on booze. I feel the most for the homeless families. There could be nothing more demoralizing than realizing that the people who look up to you for support are living in a car or on the street because you are unable to support them.
Alright, I’m depressed now. I think I will go sulk somewhere!