“Day in, day out, my tear-stained face pressed against my windowpane, my eyes search the skies desperately for rain, 'cause raindrops will hide my teardrops and no one will ever know that I'm crying”. Lyrics from “I Wish it Would Rain” by The Temptations

Today, we had the privilege of serving 25 people.

• I decided to write about some of our friends we see regularly but we don’t mention much.  We ran into our friend (Robbie) who is always pushing his rolling walker.  Lately he has had some physical problems and has been in and out of the hospital.  I ran into him earlier in the week as he made his way down the sidewalk.  I gave him our packet of $10 bill/$10 DD card/prayer card and asked if he needed anything else and he replied, “sweatpants”.  We gave him a pair today and we got talking to him.  When I asked how he was doing, he was in pain, his arms were sore from holding himself up on his walker, along with the pain in his legs which are visibly swollen.  We got to talking about his family.  He has a daughter who lives in New Hampshire, and she hasn’t spoken to him in 10 years, along with being alienated from his brothers.  This is very common amongst our friends which is why their street friends become family.  He is currently at the shelter, but his biggest fear is that he will end up in a nursing home because of his physical problems.  He told me he was 71.  I replied, “You look good for 71” and he replied, “I wish I felt good”.  As we talked, he said he wished he could someday just lie in the sun on Nantasket Beach.  My hope is someday we can make that happen my friend.

• We ran into our friend (Bosch) who we met early on along with J.J. who passed last year.  He never asks for much.  We give him our packet of $10 bill/$10 DD card/prayer card, and we have to pry out of him if he needs anything else.  Last week we gave him Levi jeans and sneakers.  (Bosch) is such a gentle soul and a kind spirit.  He travels with his girlfriend (Rosie) who sometimes stops taking her medication.  We always know when that happens because he is either sporting a bruised face or some scratches.  He takes everything in stride, never getting upset with her behavior.  It’s a lesson for all of us to practice unconditional love, the way Jesus loves us.

• We did meet some new friends, particularly a young gentleman named (Jack).  We could tell he was new to the street because of his deer in the headlights look.  It doesn’t take long for this carefree lifestyle to not be so glamorous after finding out how challenging it can be.

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God Bless,

Claire and Shaun Teed and Tito

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“Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for you I will pray” Psalm 5:2

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