I see him everyday. He's walking with his black lab, pushing a cart full of his belongings. He has an American flag attached to his cart. He is a clean looking young man of about twenty-five or so. He wears khaki cargo shorts, a clean shirt, tennis shoes, and a hat. His hair is clean and combed. On cold or rainy days, I worry about him.This young man is some one's son, brother, grandson, friend, and he is lost. He is the only homeless person in our area. I notice that he is always working. He and his faithful dog travel in a 5 mile radius collecting bottles and cans from the roadside and from trash containers at businesses. It is a very cold and rainy day as I see him once more in the parking lot of the grocery store. A clerk from the store helps him take his dog and his cart to the store's entrance for cover from the rain. As I walk into the store, I offer him twenty dollars. He declines and says,"I survived Iraq, and I will survive this. Thank you, but I can not accept money that I did not earn. Trust me, lady, there are worse things than being homeless." I am stunned. I ask him to take the money and use it for his dog. He thinks for a moment, and accepts it. "My dog thanks you."
I see him the next day at the gas station and ask if he has ever done any yard work. He says, yes, and in fact he has even taken some landscape classes at a junior college.
"Interesting," I say. "In fact, I may know someone that could use your skills if you are looking for a job." He assures me that he is looking for a job and will never give up hope of finding one. " I always have the freedom to hope", he says.
Today, he is working as a landscaper for a builder in our area.
He is hardworking. He is a good person. He is a Veteran. I am proud to be his friend.
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