Park Bench People

 

The plight of people suffering affects me. It always has.  There are some who are fortunate enough to be walking advertisements of success and others who are the poster child for poverty. I saw a very polished woman at the gas station. She was impeccably dressed in designer wear from head to toe and she was driving a very nice luxury vehicle. I looked at her and thought, that is one together woman.  A homeless man in a wheelchair asked her for some spare change and she threw five fingers up as if she were saying “talk to the hand” At that moment this woman no longer looked so polished. Her actions made her ugly in my eyes. Even if she didn’t have any spare change, there was a more dignified way she could have addressed this man.  I watched the exchange and when he came my way and asked for some money, I told him I didn’t have much to spare but I had a few coins in the car. He said: “Thank you, that is certainly more than I have now” It broke my heart that someone already in a bleak situation could  be treated so unkind.

I thought about him and the multitude of people who call park benches home.  For me a park bench is where I go to write, reflect, meditate and relax, but for someone else, it is home.  

This economy is the worst we have seen since the great depression and quiet as it's kept, there are a lot of us who are a paycheck away from being park bench people.  People have interesting stories  and I always listen. Even a park bench person has a story to tell.   

I met a homeless lady a couple of years ago and we struck up an interesting conversation about life and about the power of God. It was early in the morning and before we parted I shared with her that I was excited to be going to New York in a few hours and she asked if it was ok to get my cell phone number, which I didn't hesitate to give to her. About eight hours later I had a message on my phone from her telling me she was thrilled to have met me and she hoped I landed safely in New York. The well wishes of a complete stranger really touched me.  If you are kind to people you certainly get that back. That is my credo in life to be a blessing to other people and I don’t care how much or how little they have.

He has a story to tell

 What if this was your address?

He is the face you see without a name, but he is not invisible

I have no right to complain about anything. I sit on this bench and ponder that the real meaning of life is to have compassion and love for people.  To try each day to touch someone...

 This leaf necklace, a symbol of nature. If you want to see God, just open your eyes and admire his creations.

This ring sparkles brightly against this black ensemble.  You and I are called to shine in dark places too. You might be all the light someone sees.

sometimes in life, all you can do is stand

God has put all things under your feet

And the most powerful book in the world says:   

“Whatever you do to the least of people, you do to me”

Matthew 25: 35-40

The song Park Bench People by Freestyle Fellowship is one of the most moving songs I have heard about the plight of the homeless.  Mykah 9, the original vocalist actually improvised the lyrics to this song about his experience  being homeless in the Leimert  Park area of Los Angeles. I find that kind of talent and that kind of heart inspiring.

The song is powerful and even has a sample of the Freddie Hubbard classic “Red Clay”.  I have included two interpretations  by Jose James.  They are raw, jazzy and very improvisational, much like the original.

Here is to a field of dreams and park bench people having a better tomorrow.