I don't write much within faith. It's not the manner which I believe and most all are asleep but within the eve I enjoy to write for that matter I can sleep in. Today I was headed for church. I thought that it was appropriate to go to mass as it's been some time since I have gone to mass as I don't feel that one has to attend a place of faith in order to be a faith based person.
By the time I arrived downtown to this one catholic church I could see that I missed the boat as out one door were people starting to leave. So much for timing. I found a place to park my car and then I saw this person standing in front of the church. As I walked towards the church I had my small camera in my jacket and I thought this is a conceptual picture. So being me I took a shot as I thought there was a picture which was worth a write. I do love conceptual pictures and it seemed right on the mark. When I walked past the man whom was about 35 years of age. I said hello and continued to walk up the stairs towards the doors. Then here this man asks me that question which has two sides to the coin - in a manner of speech. "Hey buddy could you spare a few dollars so I can buy a warm meal?" Within a seconds I knew what it was.
I couldn't believe the audacity that a druggie or drunk was waiting for people to come out so he could panhandle. Now the city has literally cleaned up panhandling. It's not allowed in front of public places like shopping centers which the main downtown mall used to have at least fifteen standing, sitting every day and literally harassing people for money.
Yet for the life of me I was so perturbed knowing full well what was going to happen when those doors opened up and families started to come out. I walked back down and looked him in the eyes and I could tell that he was half lucid but yet he was all there as either he hadn't got his fix or come noon on Sundays' all the liquor outlets open up. I frankly told him, "Your not here to go to church, your not looking for a meal, and what you believe your going to do is play this game with people coming out of a church." I don't brag but I can hold my own and then some and I am a pacifist. Yet if need be I was going to take this one down and call the police which have their headquarters just a block away. I am surprised that within their patrols that they didn't see this. So I went a little further with him and said, "don't you feel so low and don't you realize where this is going. As your here to attempt to get money off of people of all places you picked a church. Now there are two choices you have you can walk down to the local salvation army and they do have meals - or - you can walk the other way and the police station is right around that corner." I told him to take his pick. I pulled out my cell and then he walked away swearing with all the muttered "F" words.
Then I walked up and went into the church as all the people were leaving. There was one usher there and I introduced myself as it had been some time since I had been there and I did my own thing for five minutes and then got up and the priest had changed his attire and we had a small chat and I took a few shots as the priest seemed to be a decent man. Ironically he had this parrot on his shoulder and I could not resist.
So good versus bad. I didn't tell anyone what had taken place. But for so many of these druggies or drunks - there is a chance for them. This guy was still young enough to change his ways and get onwards with life but I guess it's addiction. Or it's a combination of an underlying mental problem which they self medicate by means of some form of substance or drug. So many fall through the cracks and as time goes on their life becomes out of control. And if they would only look for help they would find it. For the amount of time to get enough money as this one had intended. If the same amount of time was put into seeking out help - as I know it's not all that easy. They could make something out of their lives.
Yet for myself, it truly ticked me off when I saw what this ones intentions were. There are those whom get totally tied on substances and the person that they were comes to be something in which society does not respect. I never would have thought on a Sunday morning that I would run into a situation as such and there are those which you do care about and then there are those that they don't realize it but they are creating a very short life.
In this case I didn't have much care as it's the first time I have seen one doing this panhandling thing in a place as such. It's rather sad and it would be nice if some of these cases where caught far earlier - before it goes so low. This one topped the charts in the realm of what I consider lazy and so lost.
Other than that today went very well as mentioned earlier. Yet I thought I would write it as an after thought. Mind you this priest was rather neat along with this parrot which I would assume was his pet.
ReplyDelete
Not all that goes in the church are saints that's for sure. Yet people that not present in the church on a regular basis means something else. There's a fine line only the very person knew. And we can all have our thanksgiving and intentions and petitions inside the sacredness of our rooms. I say my prayers in my room and not inside the church but i attend the Holy celebration which everybody knows is the Mass. And for the disturbed man, i hope he seeks help to the proper authorities. So he could have the right medication.
ReplyDeleteThat was a most interesting "slice of life" story. The panhandler knew that he could prey on the goodness of others to achieve his own desires. Yet you, as a spokesperson for the rest of us, let him know his actions were transparent. In away, you were protection for that entire congregation. The first shot, even without knowing the story, could stand as a story of its own, too. But the shot with the parrot is simply too cute for words! Jack, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit here this morning. Thanks for sharing your Sunday.
ReplyDeleteyes ,it is strange,,you can see this happening..outside ,,the church in centre of Amsterdam Holland too...
ReplyDeleteAwe what a sweetie. Nice that the priest is allowed a pet.
ReplyDelete:)
I usually will give the odd panhandler a bit of change but more often I give it to the street musicians. They are at least working for their money.
It used to bug me when I was watering plants in office building because they panhandlers will sit near a door half attempting to open it for you and once they have done that for you they expect some money for it. So I usually tried to open my own doors.
I also didn't like it when I would see a young twenty year old man sitting down reading their book while panhandling at the same time.
The signs get to me too but if the person comes up to me and they genuinely ask me for cash but with out too much lying then I will give them money if and only if I have it.
If my hubby has the cash you can bet that the panhandler will walk away either empty handed or with a couple of quarters and that is about it.
:)
Grammy it was something which certainly was a first and it did blow me away but so be it. Glad you did as I was awake and thought I would take one slice of yesterday and write on it and aside him. I was late for mass it's been a long time since I have went and wouldn't you know it I was late. But
ReplyDeleteI thought that I had seen quite a bit but this one took the cake. Yet the parrot was a hoot never the less.
Yes, it takes all kinds as they say.
ReplyDeleteHe looked very well dressed to be bumming money too I might add. His back pack was an expensive make and he looked well and young enough to look for a job.
Well, I don't like to judge because I don't know why he is lowering himself to that level. Perhaps, he was abused as a child.
Or didn't get what he needed to rise above and face adversity head first.
I am not in their shoes so I don't really no why they would choose that life over what I would deem a better one.
No there is no institution which is entirely perfect Maritess. Mankind is imperfect but there are limitations with this.
ReplyDeleteThis case literally blew me away as it was the last thing I thought he was going to be doing. So be it...there is a word
within the diction and what came to mind with him was - "con artist".
Never seen this before Caroline not at a church so the priest was a little strange lol - and well that's a normal strange.
ReplyDeleteBut this one panhandling should have had someone place a pan on his forehead.
The priest seemed very attached with this parrot :)
ReplyDeleteOff the topic Erika
The other thing well it is what it is Erika as we all know. Do need to mention that I met someone which did a project
of the likes which you did with community gardening and the green concept. Each plot cost $ 25.00 per year. When
I took one picture I was talking to the lady which founded the place and you came to mind - I kid you not.
I was looking for a sunflower and within the 10,000 thousand sq.ft area I could not help but think of the idea you began.
Not kidding...