The sad reality of a Christmas as homeless

This is the best time to show love to your neighbor. Especially to those who live on the street.

Dec 23, 2022

‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’—Mattew 22:39

Looking through the window of my precious palace (a single room), I feel the warm arrival of Christmas.

Although the temperatures are shallow, my spirit is warm. I hugged my blanket and drank my hot chocolate in my private space—wandering my mind in the past.

For many years, I spent Christmas locked up in a shelter when I was homeless.

I often looked at the front door, hoping someone would remember me. But no one showed up. Christmas had become not a celebratory but a sad time in my life.

Even so, the establishment staff seemed to try hard to give us happiness through volunteer musicians with Christmas carols to appease our anxiety.

The gifts could not be missing. Not like the ones I received from my family and friends when I had a home. Instead, they seemed like pious presents—things I needed for the winter.

They seemed to deceive our sadness with the simple act of opening a present. No matter what it was, we all celebrated with comrades with a pale masked joy—receiving a new pair of socks or a hat for the cold.

Meanwhile, I kept looking toward the front door of the shelter. Maybe not because I was expecting an unexpected visit from someone who remembered me, but thinking about those comrades who were still out there probably celebrating Christmas in the street style.

Outside there are no restrictions or rules, just the freedom to get wasted without anyone judging you. Although we take care of each other, who can watch over us? Many were going to spend Christmas in a hospital.

One after another, they came to the shelter. Some were intoxicated, and others with angry faces. Probably because they had to pass search for all their belongings to prevent drugs or booze trafficking inside the establishment.

That meant turning the entire backpack inside out until the last dirty sock came out.

Even so, for all those things, I thank the shelter and the workers for their service. It is challenging to deal with people with mental illnesses, addicts, or abandoned on the street.

I will never forget those still in the shelters and visit them from time to time. To encourage them so that they find inspiration to get out of that place.

If I got out of that situation, they can, too, if they want. They have to put in enough effort. It's not easy, but it is not impossible either.

Today, I am watching Christmas lights from my apartment window, and I am grateful that I am no longer in that torment and have my own space, but I also pray for those still sleeping outside and inside the shelter.

Christmas is an excellent time to show love and affection, and what is more beautiful than showing it to the one who needs it? To those who are sleeping outside.

For this story and many more that I will share with you in the new year, I ask that we have compassion for those who sleep outside in the bitter cold.

Thank you for paying attention and reading my FINDING NEW LIFE newsletter. A place of compassion but also of information to help find ways to help stop the homelessness crisis.

I wish all my reading friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

If you know someone going through emotional problems who lacks control over addictive substances, that person may be on the brink of losing their home and falling into the abyss of homelessness and addictions. Please call a helpline.

We are still in time to redirect our path as humanity.

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