General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumswhat a difference a year makes I have been very fortunate to heal as good as I can
Crohn's is a never ending ordeal but last year I had C-Diff and was sick for months. Had to take short term disability and that cut my income a LOT.
So far this year (knock on wood) I have been okay.
I promised myself if I was able to get better and get back to work, I would give to the homeless that live near me.
While getting stocking stuffers for my kids, I noticed that gloves were a really great price and when I walked past them the thought went through my head "to whom much is given-much is expected"
I bought 20 pair and tonight while walking the dog I passed out all 20 pair in the little homeless community set up at the park next door. I live downtown and see the homeless a lot.
One lady knocked a pair that I was trying to give her out of my hand (they were red and that is an issue ) The guy sitting next to her yelled at her to never do that to someone trying to be nice. I said it's okay I have a different color. She started crying and asked if she could hug me and I said sure. She hugged me and started praying and asked for forgiveness. I told her there was nothing to forgive but have a Merry Christmas.
I know it isn't much but it was what I could do.
Metatron
(1,258 posts)iluvtennis
(19,863 posts)Wiseman32218
(291 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)I have a really strong burden for the homeless but can't do much about it.
just trying to make a difference in my little corner of the world.
sharedvalues
(6,916 posts)Keep doing what you can. Much of homelessness has to do with poor treatment of mental illness in the US.
Great story, it warmed my heart.
Hekate
(90,714 posts)Phoenix61
(17,006 posts)there would be no more want. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Irish_Dem
(47,131 posts)I had a very bad case of c-diff last year and I know what you went through.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)it took 4 antibiotics to get over it and 4 months of pretty much bed rest.
I was on the verge of losing everything-house, car, job and there were times I wish I had just died.
but the last antibiotic started to work, little by little each new day was better than the last and by March I was 80% better.
Doc thought i would die before the new year.
Now that I have, I made a promise-to all that helped me keep my house and said all the prayers-if I lived, I would focus my giving back to the homeless. We have done several different things. We never want to say look how great we are...we just want to spread kindness to a community that gets crapped on every day!
However, i should have known not to pass out red ones. There really is a turf war and I totally missed it. The lady that was mean at the start ended up increasing my faith. Here she was really messed up (probably drunk) and really rough and was humbled about knocking the red ones out and I just quietly gave her a different color. She apologized several times and when she prayed, she was crying and said over and over to forgive her.
It left an impression on my heartm
Irish_Dem
(47,131 posts)The c-diff was bad and lasted about 6 months. Causing all kinds of hardship as you describe. I also had another illness that came after, unrelated to the c-diff, but it knocked me down again
I have a newfound understanding of those without homes or means. And those who are ill.
I had not really thought about it on a conscious level, but since then I have been doing random acts of kindness. If someone falls short in the grocery check out line, I give the cashier the money if I can. Or sometimes I split some of the groceries with a homeless person.
Edited to add: What was the significance of the gloves being red?
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)red-bloods
blue - crips
and it is really obvious if you are black it is a huge burden to wear the wrong color
Irish_Dem
(47,131 posts)Wearing the wrong color could be a problem.
mcar
(42,334 posts)Best to you.
Honeycombe8
(37,648 posts)Who would've thought of gloves, but very useful for the homeless Even if they have a pair, I'm sure they wear out quickly or get messed up or stolen.
I knew someone a few years back with Crohn's. It made her life difficult. Horrible condition. She was such a nice lady, too. She was really pretty, and had married well (as they say). But money won't help you, when you have a medical condition.
a kennedy
(29,673 posts)because of that damn crohns she couldnt get some promising drugs for her melanoma.......horrible, horrible disease. So happy you are doing better. Its a terrible disease. So happy you are doing better.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,611 posts)This was inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
blake13
(1 post)good to hear that
a kennedy
(29,673 posts)marble falls
(57,104 posts)Codeine
(25,586 posts)and her unselfish willingness to spend her limited resources to help others, but you can go ahead and chalk it up to your imaginary sky daddy I suppose.
oasis
(49,389 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)even my doctor didn't think I would live out the year.
mopinko
(70,127 posts)better enough to give back? awesome!!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,635 posts)Well enough to give back?
That's just the icing on the cake!
Blessings on you, my dear demtenjeep!
Merry Christmas and a happier New Year for you and your loved ones!
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)you are awesome. Always have been
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)toothbrushes, floss, toothepaste and little floss picker things.
Many students wanted to throw them away, Instead I had them put it all in a tub and we gave it to the homeless that night.
It felt good.n
spanone
(135,844 posts)UTUSN
(70,708 posts)being sensible and steady and frequent targets of my Recs. Thanks for who you are.
woodsprite
(11,916 posts)We have a group that serves the homeless community in our area called Friendship House. A group of people from our church try to keep them supplied with gloves, hats, scarves, and socks. Their director told us they are the most requested items during this time of year - especially on Code Purple nights.
Faux pas
(14,681 posts)good health and kudos on the good deeds!
MLAA
(17,298 posts)I understand Crohns disease is very challenging and painful. I have gone to a workshop that Dr McDougall from Santa Rosa Ca where he shared some results of his work with Crohns patients.
If you are interested a link is below. Best wishes!
https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/health-science/stars/stars-video/sondra-berk/
niyad
(113,336 posts)it isn't much, but I carry extra pairs of gloves all winter (the local dollar store loves me) and pass them out whenever someone can use them.
MGKrebs
(8,138 posts)I'm gonna do that too.
Maybe there could be a "Give a glove day".
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)maybe I could even use it as a service project with my kiddos
Lets target a day and see if we can't get something to happen.
Maybe middle of Jan??
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)One small act at a time is how big progress happens.
malaise
(269,054 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)and do it again this weekend. It is supposed to get colder.
demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)and they will be collecting things for the homeless
Some suggested items:
Tooth Care
dry shampoo
socks
underwear
feminine hygeine
baby powder
lotion
gloves
gift cards for food, coffee
but I could use some suggestions
they end game will be around March so the weather will be warmer than it is now