Homelessness

I wrote this and if for whatever reason someone would like to use my material, please ask permission. That's not too hard to do and it's really easy to do.

In today's world it is hard to tell who is really a homeless person in need and who is just looking to make fast money the lazy way. What is this world coming to where people imitate homeless people because they are too lazy to get a real job and work an honest day's work? It's terrible to think that someone would stoop so low because then it negatively affects TRUE homeless people.
Since it's hard to tell, what is one to do? I personally do not give money to people. If someone asks me if I have money so they can buy food, I say I will not give you money; instead I will buy them some food. Depending on how much I am able to spend, I buy things that will go far like a loaf or two of bread, peanut butter, baby formula(if needed), and water because it's good to keep hydrated. In the off chance it's an adult asking so he/she can feed their children, I usually throw in a little treat like candy or something sweet that they can share because to a child living on a street, it makes them feel special. I have a couple of instances where either my mom or I have done (they are TRUE stories).

Instance 1:
When I was little, it would be my mom watching my sister, my brother, and me. In our front yard we had a palm tree and one day and homeless man came to the door asking if he can trim and cut our palm for some food. Now normally my mom might have taken him up on the offer except for the fact that we were around and she didn't know what the man was capable of, well that and it would be a liability if he got injured since it was kind of a tall palm tree. My mom declined nicely and said she would call a local shelter to come and pick him up (because some places do that) to take him back there where he can clean up and look for a job because if he is asking to trim our palm he is obviously more than able to work and can more than likely find a job, Not only that but a shelter will give him food to. So that's what my mom did. That man later on came back to our house and thanked my mom for giving him the kick in the butt he needed. Sometimes that's all it takes. People think it's heartless what my mom did but it really wasn't, it would be a different story though if it was a single mom with little children, then my mom would've hurried them inside but the man was more than capable of working and although a single mom is, if she has small children it's kind of hard...well it honestly doesn't sound that bad if it was being TOLD instead or being WRITTEN.

Instance 2:
This instance took place not too long ago. My mom and I were at a Circle K, filling up on gas and getting something to drink and for my mom, cigarettes. Well apparently a lady had 2 children with her and I think it was also her younger sister and a man there. What happened was, the man who was with them ran off with everything she had, her wallet and what not and she was heading to her mom's house because she was trying to escape that man but I guess his punishment to her was leaving her stranded. We overheard them and me being miss chitty chat-chat asked why the older lady was crying. Then that's when she told us the story. Even though my mom and I didn't have that much money, my mom and me put together some of our cash, filled up their truck which that man had taken their gas from and gave her $40 dollars for food and drinks on the way and my mom bought water for the two little girls since they were thirsty and the $40 would have to last because they were travelling a far distance. I know where they were going but for protection and paranoia reasons I will not state. Well they were truly grateful and asked for our address so she can repay us, because my mom's part of the money came from her cigarette money, and my mom said no. She told the woman that "it's what God would've done so there is no need to repay her." They left and the clerk at the register said you should've gotten an address to where they were going so you can get repaid and my mom said firmly to her, "no, that's not what God would've done. The biggest reward is knowing that you helped someone who is in need, that's the best type of payment there is."

I just love my mom and how she has taught me to be so kind. I also know from her, how to tell if someone is trying to scam you by pretending to be homeless. If they refuse food and say they want money, either makes them a pretender or a chronic alcoholic and/or gambler. People who are homeless are truly grateful for anything you can spare or give. You can see it in the way they act, and talk and the look in their eyes.

I feel bad for people who become homeless due to the economy and bad luck and people who have lost everything, but I do NOT feel bad for people who are homeless because of something they have done, like alcoholics, druggies, gamblers, etc... That's not to say that I won't help them depending on the situation and how much of a danger it may be for me to help them. However, I do believe that if you are able bodied enough to work then you should. Don't be lazy!