I certainly didn't feel like company on the drive to London, but I pulled over anyway. I think it was the combination of the cold drizzly weather, and the fact that he was wearing a hoody. Something struck me!
Times have changed so much since I was still hitch-hiking, a time when people from all walks of life stuck their thumb out for a ride. These days you can almost guarantee that your roadside pickups are destitute and aimless. Sure enough. Here's what I learned about the man during the 20 minute trip.
He was a handsome guy, fairly well spoken although a bit erratic.
He was 37 years old.
He was staying with friends at the moment.
He moved constantly.
He was currently unemployed, but looking for work.
He was receiving a disability pension (mental health issues)
He had to check in at the police station every week until his trial. (weapons possession)
He would have liked to give me some money for gas but he had none.
He has a 12 year old son who he sees occasionally.
He was angry about all of the above, although I had to listen carefully to discern that.
What I never learned was his name. This is notable because I always ask peoples names when I'm having any kind of a conversation. I can even tell you his son's name, but for some reason, in this case, I never asked his.
Maybe I was afraid?
Afraid that his name would be Peter......
Some of you will understand that, and others will not. Maybe I'll explain it soon. Maybe within the next few days even.
No workout again today. Tomorrow I'm gonna try to run the trails again.
"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."---J K Rowling
Times have changed so much since I was still hitch-hiking, a time when people from all walks of life stuck their thumb out for a ride. These days you can almost guarantee that your roadside pickups are destitute and aimless. Sure enough. Here's what I learned about the man during the 20 minute trip.
He was a handsome guy, fairly well spoken although a bit erratic.
He was 37 years old.
He was staying with friends at the moment.
He moved constantly.
He was currently unemployed, but looking for work.
He was receiving a disability pension (mental health issues)
He had to check in at the police station every week until his trial. (weapons possession)
He would have liked to give me some money for gas but he had none.
He has a 12 year old son who he sees occasionally.
He was angry about all of the above, although I had to listen carefully to discern that.
What I never learned was his name. This is notable because I always ask peoples names when I'm having any kind of a conversation. I can even tell you his son's name, but for some reason, in this case, I never asked his.
Maybe I was afraid?
Afraid that his name would be Peter......
Some of you will understand that, and others will not. Maybe I'll explain it soon. Maybe within the next few days even.
No workout again today. Tomorrow I'm gonna try to run the trails again.
"Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself."---J K Rowling
"The one thing I want to leave my children is an honourable name."---Theodore Roosevelt
Love
Peter
Peter
The sooner we can understand and teach our children that the homeless or the poor or the destitute or the mentally ill or the drug users are us; that they are our mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, our friends, our family, our neighbours - that it's not us and a group of "them" - the sooner we can empathize, the sooner we can enact policy that helps all of us and that makes this world a better place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting about your experience with this man.
Love,
Michael
Well said, Michael!
ReplyDeleteI love you, Pete, and it will all be ok in the end. If it's not ok, it's not the end yet...
I agree, well said, Michael! Great post Pete!
ReplyDeleteLove JOR