Homeless in Daytona

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

Image viaWikipedia

When reading these articles keep in mind none of us are born homeless. There are unwanted babies and children and society steps up to the plate to make sure they are taken care of.  The children are either placed in orphanages or foster care because society says they can’t take care of themselves. Now we have the unwanted homeless adult, that due to various circumstances became homeless. Now, society says they are adults and capable of taking care of themselves, when in actuality many are not. We have homeless shelters and they are full and cannot house the ever growing number  of homeless in this country. I still don’t know the circumstance of the homeless man I have been observing. I went for my walk in the serene park not far from my house. The park is quite large and there is one area that people frequent and the other part is more secluded. Our guy sets up in the secluded part, still in the same spot he always is. The thing about this man that sticks in my mind is, in spotting him in different areas of the city, he never is asking anyone for money. He seems to be self sufficient and frequents the area McDonald’s. I can only guess at this point he may be a vet. The observation at the park is there is a running water fountain and usable bathrooms for males and females. The garbage receptacles are spaced about and cemented to the ground. There are picnic tables spaced throughout and have a roof covering over them to protect from the sun and rain. There is an area that crosses the water in two places, one covered, one not. You can fish in this pond, it is allowed. The atmosphere is very peaceful and serene. The area is surrounded by woods. In the area most frequented, people walk their dogs and children  play. There was a truck with a couple workers setting up some sort of health exercise area. In walking the path which curves around the whole park, we passed our guys area. He had all his worldly belongings spread out on the table and seem to be sorting them out. He appeared to be eating dinner as he sorted through his items. He made sure he acknowledged us walking by . He said Good day folks. He seems to have a pleasant demeanor about him, although I never see anyone talking to him. Could it be that they know something I do not or is it that he displays the obvious signs of being a homeless man that society says to stay clear of. Regardless  of what society dictates this poor sole seems almost content in his coping skills. He is not the picture that society paints with the liquor bottle in a plastic bag and totally scruffy. He appears to be quite respectful of his passerby’s and the environment around him.  He seems to be at peace with the nature around him. Why do we judge these people so harshly? This concludes my second article.