Homeless Hollywood Holiday. The two block trip from Kaiser Hospital had taken Mary all morning. It took her several tries to get her belongings across Hollywood Boulevard because "they" were watching and would want to take her valuables. She turned the corner. A flashing sign said "Happy Easter to All." She pushed the cart until she felt a softness in the sidewalk. She tried several places before she finally settled in. On one side was a Christian Science reading room. To her left, past a parking lot for a Evangelical store front church was a Lutheran church where a gay A.A. meeting was held every Saturday night. But not this one. It was Holy Saturday. The church would use the basement in preparation for the Easter Sunday breakfast the next morning. Mary pressed articles of clothing between her fingers and her lap and stacked them to the side. She had always been a neat person. She watched as shoots of green began to shoot up from the cars parked in front of her. The brilliant green stalks twisted and turned and then glowed with lovely orchids, lilies and roses. She was happy that the churches were providing such a wonderful display for Easter. She raised her forehead to catch a memory and then began to hum a tune that she heard on a radio of a passing car. The sunshine warmed her. She felt a pulse rising from below the cement and knew it was from the other side of the Earth. She knocked three times in acknowledgment and whispered a prayer for those less fortunate than her on this lovely late afternoon.
6 Comments
Anonymous Guest 22 Jan 2010
a lovely story. the enlargement shows her world so vivid.Marika Antal 08 Mar 2009
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most awesomemel taylor 22 Mar 2008
To find peace in her own world is very touching, John! Love the storyline along with the photos. We have Wayside Christian Mission here in Louisville. The homeless need not spend their time on the streets all of the time. The mission takes care of most of their essential needs. Beautiful story, John! Happy Easter to you and yours........melJoke Schotting 22 Mar 2008
So sad John!!!Emily Reed 22 Mar 2008
this is a sad commentary on a rich society that cannot take care of the least of these. Have a great Easter, my friend!