GHOSTS ON THE STREET

As we walked home from the train on Saturday evening we would move at a brisk pace to cover the 2 mile distance. I was carrying a take home bag from our dinner with Lloyd and Joan. Silently we would be approached by a homeless person who would ask for the carryout. I felt bad in denying him (in fact several hims) and for selfish reasons. I wanted that sweet and sour pork for lunch the next day. They would ask and then fade into the crowd to ask another. Sometimes I would turn around after denying them and they were gone. This homeless phenomenom is not uncommon to any major city or even smaller cities. I would like to stop and talk with them to find out what had caused their paths to be lost but I'm afraid that would be a waste of time. They probably don't know why they are there or what led them to this place in their lives. I do know one homeless person, John, up in Waukegan who was a quality control engineer until alcohol took over his life. He lost his wife, his job and his home in a short period of time. When I see a homeless person I think of John.