Miles was 61 years old , had grey hair and a ponytail and was from Michigan. According to one of the guys in the shelter Miles kept to himself and was kicked out of the shelter for not collecting his retirement. That of coarse is second hand information but you can decide what to believe , I've already made up my mind that its true based on previous experience and how these shelters are run.
Today, according to the local news and coroners report, we found out that Miles took his own life. As if his death wasn't bad enough that news just cut deeper. I am both sad and sickened at the same time. I have so many thoughts and emotions right now I am sad, angry, hurt disappointed and right back to angry.
All I keep thinking about is how hopeless Miles must have felt that this was his only relief from whatever pain he was enduring. What was going through his mind? Does he have any family ,children, anybody? He was missing since August 25 God knows how long he would have been there because NOBODY EVEN NEW HE WAS MISSING.
I am so pissed right now I could hit something. I'm not mad at God I'm mad at us. I'm angry at a country full of such selfishness, a city so greedy that there only interest in a homeless person is there @#$%^&* social security number. I'm tired of people who care more about property value in there community than the actual community. That's all I hear "Oh well we don't mind you helping people just not in my backyard. " and apparently not in mine either.
This didn't have to happen. Do you realize you can change some ones life with just a few question. Are you OK ? Is there anything I can do ? What do you need? HOW CAN I HELP?
No one deserves to die alone and no one deserves to die because they see no hope.
The news about Miles was posted through a local news agency on facebook . Some of the comments made were very speculative and ignorant relating to those who do not have permanent housing.
It never ceases to amaze me how ignorant grown ups can be. Do yourself a favor and take the time to educate yourself about those in need. Talk to someone on the street , have a conversation ,you would be surprised to find they are really not all that different.
In this economy the face of homelessness is no longer the image of the hobo with his handkerchief and stick or the wino hanging out by the liquor store. Its families, single mothers, single woman, veterans men and woman who served to protect your country.
The bible says we will always have the poor. They aren't going away, you can't starve them out , stop there services so that you can sweep them under a rug and pretend like they don't exist. It cost nothing to be kind, It cost nothing to care, It already cost Jesus everything .
Most don't reach out to the needy or unsheltered because of fear and we use so many excuses because we care what everybody else thinks accept the one person we need to please.Well in the words of Christopher Titus "Come down off your cross, use the wood to build a bridge and get over it".
I wrote this because I want Miles to be remembered , not forgotten. I've never asked before but I am asking everyone to repost this everywhere because Miles's story should be , had to be and will be told. My hope is that through this post someone will listen, someone will hear, someone will care because Miles mattered.
1 John 3:17-19
The Message (MSG)
16-17This is how we've come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God's love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.
Very well said and posted on my FB page
ReplyDeleteI most certainly remember people like Milton, I have seen many homeless who died that could've been avoided. It haunts me sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAs well as I I am haunted always that Another Man woman or child dies alone on the streets, I thank you for your heartfelt Post, My prayers are with you always,and for all those out there that they might know they are never really alone. God watches over us all.
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