although may not be quite all true, while given my altruistic audience; at least they still have the capacity to dream about what they once were, who they would, or wish they could be…They still can dream (like you and me).
The Story:
Well, the back story of the story I am about to tell you is about a reporter who was on location do to a story about something totally unrelated to his reason for being there and while there, a conversation with a homeless man (who just so happened to have been around) occurred. Well during this conversation the homeless man began to talk about his past (which included him at one time-being sorta famous, he played with another famous artist who’s still famous and too, had a fall from grace at one time from battling drugs and alcohol but was delivered from that and got back on track with his career to date). Well, the inquisitive reporter/journalist went dumpster diving to verify everything the man said and turns out: T’was true!!!! (We’ll get to that shortly).
Now, as I said earlier; my stories I could tell you about my homeless friends in passing and conversation are endless. The most surreal and profoundly interesting it has gotten for me (in conversation with such a person) is a homeless man that frequented (and eventually lived) near vicinity where I live. I’ve know him from around for about three years or so. Well, he hit the lottery, a scratch-off for like 20k with a ticket from around this little drive thru in the neighborhood.
INTERESTING THING ABOUT HIM: He’s a dreamer. He reminds you very much like the autistic math genius in that movie with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman (“Rain Main”) . He’s like him somewhat-his mannerisms, he talks kinda fast, and is a bit aloof (but focused when in conversation with you). He’s so interesting.
THE OTHER INTERESTING THING ABOUT HIM: He writes and produces awesome country music (that I’ve heard and seen on a Reverbnation.com account!) This was verified.
THE OXYMORON: He’s a black man.
THE BRAVE THING: He’ll go homeless and keep in contact with his homeless friends who live under an overpass downtown in our city. And when trying to finance his dream gets the better of him, he’ll go (literally) homeless (outside) to do it-spring, summer, fall or winter.
THE ODDITY: I was sitting right next to him at the library the day he was making plans to sell the lottery ticket to a broker to get all his cash immediately and her got right off the phone and called family and friends (who aren’t homeless) confirming the help that he was indeed going to give them!
As familiar with me as he is, it wouldn’t have been out of place for me to ask him (later on since the lottery hit while he was telling me of his preparation to go live under the bridge) “where are all those family and friends that you helped out last year?” I sure as hell wanted to know, but I never get in his way or invade his space–I pretty much just listen to his many stories about his past and presently adventurous lifestyle. Besides, I’ve talked to enough of them to know just how prideful they are and know all too well the “freedom”
