I would like to take a moment to pray for the peace of members of the homeless community that we have lost this past year. There is no obituary mentioning family and their accomplishments. Their voice is quiet but their value is great as everyones’ is. They are children of God and will be missed by family and friends. Their trauma and problems were real and sometimes so significant that being what most of us deem normal was impossible.
Whatever your judgment about someone you see on the street, they were someone’s child, sibling, parent, grandparent and friend. They were struggling with their own demons, but God rescued them and put his arms around their body and soul and loved them. We should remember that they were first and foremost a human being worthy of a smile, a hug, an encouraging word and love from their community. Please remember that it costs nothing to acknowledge someone because the next time you drive by that corner, they may not be there, but in heaven.
Julie Benson, volunteer and advocate for the homeless community
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This article appears in Remembering 2024.
