Musings on Forgiveness and Homelessness
His eyes are still haunting me. A young man, back to a lamppost, cup in outstretched hand. Desperate eyes. “Please help me” he says without using words. People pass by as if he were invisible. I can tell that he knows others think he is invisible. The loneliness must be crushing. The desperation seems even worse.
I have to wonder what trauma in his life contributed to his being on this Belfast, Northern Ireland street at such a young and vulnerable age. Who convinced him that he is less than a person? He seems to believe that, but I am not sure. I do know with certainty that he is now feeling desperate and his life line is his cup and the passers-by who could extend a hand to his outstretched hand. And yet, he is invisible. Had those who were with him in childhood actually seen him and responded to him as a true, worthwhile person, would he be here now….like this….with a cup…..and eyes that cry out, “Help me!”?
All of us need to start training our eyes and hearts to see the desperate eyes and wounded hearts of those who are invisible.
Robert
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all had such eyes to see those who are “invisible”? You have been talking about forgiveness education on this site. I think that would go a long way in helping the students of forgiveness education to see with more compassionate eyes.
This one made me cry. Nuff said.
The poor give each of us a chance to humble ourselves as we aid the humble. The poor are our teachers.
The invisibility of which you speak must be extremely painful.