6 Days to Christmas…
Hi there.
How was your day? Mine has been a good one thus far. Grace and I went to Lewes this afternoon, to do some Christmas shopping. On the way from the car park to the High Street, we met a homeless guy called Mark. I have met him there before. Spent a good while talking to him today, and listening to him. He’s usually quite chipper, but today you could see he was very low. And just in case you couldn’t read the body language, he had chalked the word DESPERATE on the pavement. Now who can walk past a bloke who is DESPERATE? Not me. And not Grace. It’s bloody hard on the homeless at any time of year. But the week before Christmas? His story certainly made me think. It also curbed my spending massively, because I just couldn’t justify spending money on frivolities, when there’s a guy in the next street – still wet from yesterday’s rain – with no roof over his head. So yeah. We had a good day indeed. Wandered up the quaint little high street, dipped in and out of bougie little boutiques and gift shops – and bought very little. I wasn’t comfortable with it; and that’s okay.
Did you know that charities estimate hundreds of thousands of people in England alone are currently homeless or living in temporary accommodation? This includes families and children – in fact, well over 170,000 children are growing up without a permanent home. Rough sleeping is also rising. Official counts suggest several thousand people sleep rough on any given night, but charities estimate that many more are living invisibly – in cars, tents, doorways, or drifting from place to place. London is worst affected, but this is not just a city problem.
I am not giving you my opinion; I am giving you facts.
So when I say I am very grateful to be me – I am very grateful to be me. To have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, hot running water to wash myself, and a warm bed to sleep in. These things I take for granted. But today I was reminded of how lucky I am.
Ironically, yesterday we went to see Oliver – a musical about street orphans in Victorian London. The cost of one ticket would have bought Mark a bed and a warm room with food for a week.
Makes me wonder. I know this isn’t a chirpy chipper blog. But sometimes I have to look beyond the safety net of Clarity. And it makes me wonder.
Love always,
Barb x x x
9 thoughts on “6 Days to Christmas…”
I understand where you are coming from. I hope Mark will find a place and that his circumstances will improve. There was a news item on our local news about people who are in work finding themselves homeless.
It does make you count your blessings for sure xx
Certainly a lot to think about!🤔. One does wonder how they got to desperation point. In some ways they do not have the worry of big debts but it’s not ideal. Plus a lot live on the streets which have their own dangers. It’s a shame there aren’t more places where the homeless can stay for a night or two, just to get out of the cold and wet for a while. Unfortunately those places are few and far between. Don’t get too sad. Enjoy your family while they’re here. You can always think of the homeless another day.hugsx
Situations can change in an instance and people like Mark make you think twice about a lot of things…..
We used to know a ‘tramp’ , Cyril, who chose to live on the streets but every now and again would do something like break a window so he would be arrested and have a night in a cell! He was a real character.
It certainly puts things into perspective, doesn’t it!
I received a Christmas card from a friend yesterday – our children grew up together. We don’t see each other very often now but always exchange birthday and Christmas cards. She told me that her husband had died in August of a sudden cardiac arrest with no warning at all – they are both quite a bit younger than me……
My mountain of boxes doesn’t seem so bad now….!
I lost my husband in November and part of the the collection went to the salvation army which was a charity that was important to him.
Hi Barbara,
That certainly right sides you doesn’t it, and the worries we think we have are probably not worries at all. It made me think of a couple of little phrases….
Don’t judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes and
There but for the Grace of God go I.
I find both of those phrases very humbling and makes you realise what’s important xXx
There are so many people who unfortunately have nowhere to live. The Salvation Army do a great job helping but it is not always enough. Those people who manage the food kitchens at Christmas are to be thanked for their service to the homeless population.
Every day I count my blessings. I have a home with a wonderful husband, food on the table, and no debts. We are not as healthy as we would like to be but are still alive and hubby has a wicked sense of humour which keeps me going at the worst of times.
So glad you are enjoying your time with Grace and Mark and it is great that you are taking some time for yourself.
So pleased you had a lovely time out with Grace 💖 Sadly too many people end up in situations like Mark – usually through no fault of their own and then find it increasingly difficult to get back to “normal”. If only the wealth of the world was shared more equally … but at least we can all do a little to help by giving to charities that help those less fortunate and when possible volunteering to help if possible. Most importantly we can all smile and at least say Hello the “Marks” we see/meet – it costs nothing but means so much 🥰❤️🩹 Much love xXx 🦋💕
Totally agree with Penny. For young people today it is virtually impossible to find somewhere they can afford to live as a mortgage deposit is a pipe dream and renting is so expensive. They keep building all these new houses but very few 1st time buyers can afford to actually buy one. I thank my lucky stars.