Yesterday I met a young rough sleeper who’s birthday is today, he is 23 years old. I can not put myself in his shoes, I can not know what that’s like. I can not project my own views onto what he might or might not be experiencing. I don't know what he's thinking , feeling or any of it. But it doesn't mean that I don't think about him or care and wish him well.
Sure I took part in a “sleep out” initiative a few years ago to raise money and awareness about youth rough sleeping but it’s not the same to spend 1 night on the pavement protected by security guards, with live entertainment and with warm porridge in the morning.
I live in a country that gives it’s self labels such as progressive and democratic and modern or whatever else and yet, our citizens do not all have roofs over their heads and somewhere safe to stay. I feel this acutely as the temperature plummets. There seem to be So many buildings that lie empty as they are purchased and never occupied perhaps and yet there are people huddled where they can find a space. This feels beyond politics, it’s about basic Humanity and care for All our Relatives.
I have listened to many stories of individuals and why they are rough sleeping and the situations I have heard have been very varied. It makes me think how Little it takes to end up in a situation where a home is no longer there for whatever reason.
So for a young man called Jason and All my Relatives that are out there tonight and other nights:
I wish you well, for even the tiniest flickers of joy to find you. I wish you positive outcomes for your circumstances. I wish you love and friendship and support. I wish you to be warm and dry and safe with food in your belly. I wish that you know that you are not invisible, you are cared for, wanted and an important part of our rich society. I wish you luck in finding the right person or situation to help you flourish and get back on your feet and to Thrive and to make your dreams come true. I wish you to know that Somebody out there cares. I wish you magic for your own wishes, whatever they may be. I wish you miracles and abundance of blessings on your souls journey.
Happy Birthday my Brother.
(Image of a tree in a Japanese Friendship Garden)