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16 January 2014
Chuck Senior in his wheelchair, with Sandy on his lap, were crossing Laurier, so I waited for them. He expertly maneuvered, in reverse, into his spot. Sandy raised her head, eager to be petted.
Chuck said, “Remember the other day, I asked you to stand on the other side because I hoped one of my regulars would be coming by? Not five minutes after you left he came by and dropped a twenty into my cap. Then a woman came from the other direction dropped a five and a ten. Instead of being parked outside Tim Horton’s I splurged and went inside for a coffee — a regular paying customer. It was nice to get out of the cold. I didn’t come by yesterday because I was just too tired. I took a sleeping pill last night and slept from six in the evening right through the night.”
Sandy jumped down and was prancing in circles. Chuck said, “I haven’t seen her do that since last summer. Want to know why she has so much energy? She just had a big shit. I guess she hasn’t been feeling well the last few days, kinda sluggish. She’s telling me that she wants a treat.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful. Sandy danced on her hind legs until Chuck put the treats on the ground. After finishing them she barked.
“Okay girl, I guess you can have some more.” He put down another handful.
I asked, “How is your friend who has cancer?”
“They’re going to be putting her on chemo to see what that does. If the cancer isn’t too aggressive it may cure her. We’ll just have to wait and see. My sister died of cancer, mind you, she smoked two packs of cigarettes a day.”
I said, “My sister, also died of cancer. She didn’t smoke at all.”
“I used to smoke three packs a day, then I started feeling sick. My kidneys shut down, I was shitting all the time. I spent two and a half months in hospital. It turned out that it wasn’t the cigarettes that were doing the damage; it was black mold. I was in a basement apartment. I didn’t notice anything but behind my book-case was a big black spot. When I moved boxes from my closet shelf there was mold on the ceiling, everywhere. As soon as I found out I moved.
“You know, people never listen. A friend of mine keeps complaining that his dentures don’t fit properly. I remember him telling me, before he had his teeth extracted, that his dentist was going to put the new set in right away. I said to him, ‘Tell your dentist that’s wrong! Your gums are going to shrink.’ I had twenty-two teeth extracted. I was without teeth for six months. I had my dentures fitted and I’ve never had a problem.’ Do you think he would listen to me? No, he listened to other people — people whose teeth don’t fit right.
“I was hoping to go to Hartman’s today, I’d like to get some pork chops. They’re having a sale — buy two, get the second for a dollar. I’m not sure how much of a charge my battery has. Just sitting here drains the power. I could take the bus, the two blocks down to Bank, but the drivers really don’t like that. It throws them off their schedule. I may just take a chance.”
I said, “I noticed how well you maneuvered, you’re an expert driver.”
“Four years in this thing and I’ve never hit anyone yet, even in crowded malls. I anticipate which direction people are going to move then turn out of the way. I can really zig zag my way through crowds.
I said, “I’ll have to go now Chuck, but perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
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Reblogged this on SherayxWeblog.
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Thanks for reblogging my post. It is much appreciated. ~ Dennis
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Ur very welcome, thank u.
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So many things can kill you. Yet, life is still worth living.
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You write beautifully!!!
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We have to have that coffee sometime. http://www.bluebirdcoffee.ca ?
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Sounds great. Noon would be the best time for me. I may be contacted at dacardiff@gmail.com. I work at Place Bell: 613-786-0206. Looking forward to meeting you. ~ Dennis
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Your post and page made it look positive to me that if one has a spark in their heart a blog is the possible spot.Thax for following me.
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Thanks for your kind words. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis!
Just stopped by to say thank you for following my little blog! And you’re a lovely writer! 🙂
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Hi Chere, thanks for your kind words. I enjoyed your post “The Symptoms of Disconnection with our Self”. I meditate whenever I get the chance. I’ll visit often, you have some very good self care tips. ~ Dennis
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I am intrigued by all your homeless people. Thanks for introducing me to Joy and to Chuck. I too for a while was homeless and it was people like you in my life at that time that continually gave me hope.
Now I have the great good fortune of being able to live comfortably on my social security and food stamps. I am also able to take a class in ceramics at the locaI community college and have had the great good fortune to have a few books published. And so I want to thank you for liking posts from two of my books; “Telephone Killer – Excerpt 21” and “River Congo – Excerpt 28” on papermudandme.wordpress.com.
I am following you and looking forward to meeting more of your friends. – Thanks again and Aloha – pjs.
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Hi Paul, thanks for your kind words. I am pleased that you are no longer homeless. I have downloaded your book OF RULERS AND RULED and am looking forward to reading it. ~ Dennis
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Life is all about understanding our inner self.Good writing.
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Thanks for your kind words. I agree, “Life is all about understanding our inner self.” I enjoyed your post “LIVE WITH LOVE”. Great words to live by. ~ Dennis
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Simply “Thank You, Dennis!”, looks like you can live life “as it is”, with no judgment, yet with Much Love for this Life…
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Thanks for your kind words. My goal is always to live in love. I enjoyed your poem “Love is an Attitude”. I will return often to read your posts. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
Thanks for following. I’m enjoying reading your blog.
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Hi Deborah, Thanks for visiting my blog. I commend you on the work you are doing: feeding and clothing the poor; ministering to the elderly, widows, and orphans and visiting those who are in prison. Thank you. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis, thank you for following my blog. Are you a second lifer? Because if not I have no clue why you would want to follow it.
I’ve been reading your blog here. It’s a great thing you are doing. The world needs more angels like you.
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Hi I am a new second lifer, also I am very impressed with your blog. You do, indeed, “make AWESOME web sites”. ~ Dennis
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Hi Dennis,
Thank you very much for your kind words. I’m glad you like my efforts.
You should say hello sometime, when you’re in Second Life.
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Thanks for following my blog. I find yours to be touching. Indeed, it makes our small challenges even smaller. Thanks again!
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I accept your invitation “to join me on this journey of becoming more like Christ, and less like me.” ~ Dennis
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Thanks Dennis for the post. May the good Lord richly bless you in the name of Jesus Christ.
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Thanks for your kind words. I will return often to your blog for inspiration. ~ Dennis
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Reblogged this on Jovisgoes on a Journey and commented:
This is an awesome man helping out in the community. We should all be this thoughtful.
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I really appreciate meeting your friends like Joy and Chuck. I never pass a homeless person without wondering about their lives before they became homeless. They arent just ghosts. Thank you for showing us the people that they are.
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Hi Dennis, I am enjoying you writing very much. ps Thanks for following my blog 🙂
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Hi Dennis,
Thank you so much for bringing much needed attention to the plight of the homeless. Too often, they are forgotten and almost discarded by society. You do an amazing job of bringing life to people who are almost treated as lifeless. Many abused women and children end up in poverty and homeless also. It really is sad and I pray that God pours out His blessings upon you for what you do for His children on the streets. Thanks again.
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Your encouragement and support are much appreciated. I have just downloaded your book “The Walking Wounded”. I can’t wait to start reading.
Thank you so much for the assistance you give to victims of abuse. ~ Dennis
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Thank you so much Dennis. I am excited that you are going to read my book and look forward to your comments. I really appreciate your support. Many blessings to you, my friend.
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It’s a good thing you’re doing. Does this take place in Canada? We have a guy here in Saint John, NB, who’s doing something similar! The writing, that is…
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I live in Ottawa, but my stories take place in Toronto. I would like to learn more about the guy in St. John who is doing something similar to what I’m doing. I have read many books about homeless people and always find them inspiring. ~ Dennis
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He talk with homeless people, here in Saint John, N.B., and post their stories to a blog and Facebook. I’ll find the link and be back 🙂
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