Brother, listen to me for a second. Got something bothering me.
Remember yesterday when you and your pals from church were sitting on the backyard patio smoking weed? Yeah, I saw you and no, I don’t have a problem with what you were doing. As usual the conversation covered many topics that mature men discuss when together in privacy. Well, almost private. I am there always.
Everything you talked about was pretty cool. The weather, the economy, your wives, your jobs and, and of course, the sexy divorcee who moved in just down the street. All of it chatter I’ve learned to expect from a group of back yard pals.
But then, one of you mentioned Tom from two doors down. He has never been part of your group and you think he’s an odd fellow. An RN at the hospital, Tom is a loner, doesn’t golf with you on Saturdays, doesn’t drive a pickup truck, doesn’t sit with your gang to watch the Super Bowl and claims to be a vegan. And I can understand that in your world a man like Tom is pretty weird. But my understanding stopped there yesterday.
Tom has a homeless friend, a man running a streak of bad luck. He tents in the nearby woods, finds work in the neighborhood doing odd jobs and yard work. Tom helps his friend with food and a listening ear when needed. He offers a warm place to stay when the temperature drops below freezing. I love Tom. He gets me. He walks the talk that y’all hear at church every Sunday when my words from your pastor get an “Amen, brother.”
So, why do you think Tom’s friend is a neighborhood problem? I heard you saying that. Does he threaten you? Does he steal from you? Does he trash your yard? Does he covet your wife? Does he dishonor your God?
Why do you want to wipe out the little camp he has created for himself? Are you offering an alternative? Maybe a hand up to a better situation? Maybe your church could sponsor him. Ever think about that? Food, fresh clothes, a few dollars pocket change can be life-changing for an unhoused man struggling to survive.
I understand your fear. Each of you is just a job loss, a health crisis away from facing the same insecurity that Tom’s friend faces every day.
But as I see it, y’all are judging Tom and his friend. Give it up, bro. That’s my job. Love ya.
GABBY GRAYWHISKERS 