The Joys and Sorrow of The Street

Saturday, March 11, 2023
Weather Mild
22 people served.

A lonely memorial to a kind soul

We met Wally and Steven. They shared some sad news. Maryann, an older woman we have known for several years, passed away. Affectionately known as Angel, she would pick flowers from city parks, arrange them in discarded plastic cups and sell them on the street corner. Angel took many young street people under her wings. She would organize those who were waiting for us to arrive, telling them,“Now, wait your turn, don’t push and be polite.”As is often the case on the street, no one could offer any details about Angel’s passing, only that “she’s gone on.” It is the way of the street that people are here today and gone tomorrow. A few faded flowers in a plastic cup setting on the curb: a lonely memorial to a kind soul.

Sometimes all a person has to do is show up

Driving under the commuter rail bridge we met our friend, Abel. He is an amiable fellow (OFD-originally from Dorchester) with a ready smile. We commented that we had not seen him in a while. Flashing a grin, he replied,“I don’t look for you guys … you just show up from God.”In addition to cash and a Dunkin card we offered Abel a $15 McDonald’s gift certificate, donated by our friends at St. Ann by the Sea.“Wow,” he replied, “Fantastic! I’m going to head there right now.”Sometimes all a person has to do is show up, for a lonely soul to feel the love of God.

He looked at us with tears in his eyes.

A frail young man watched from a distance as we offered items to the people who gathered. When everyone left, he hesitantly moved forward and stood close to our truck, hiding his face in shame. Encouraging him to look up, we said,“It’s all right. Don’t be embarrassed! You are very important to God!”Finally, lifting his head, he looked at us with tears in his eyes. We told him,“God loves you very much!” Clutching our gifts to his chest, he gave the slightest of smiles, dropped his eyes and walked away.Our most valuable gift to a suffering soul is the assurance of God’s love.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2