One of Our Homeless Souls Has Passed

There has been quite a bit of discussion of late regarding the homeless. Topics range from who is responsible, how to deal with them, where to house them and many, many more.

This is a different kind of story.

The story of just one man, a gentle soul for whom there will be no "Whitney-like" fanfare with an outpouring of sympathy and final wishes. This is the story of Jerry, a man who locals driving along Route 112 have probably seen a hundred times, shuffling down the road, looking for discarded cigarette butts, asking for spare change at the

Jerry was a man whom I've known in town for about two years. He often bummed a cigarette from me and talked about how he was going to get off the streets. How he was working out the particulars on his annuity and pensions. How he had his new pickup truck stashed somewhere and how he was going to head for Florida "next week."

Of course, next week came and went and Jerry was still hanging around town. Lately he was dealing with health issues, including the gangrene that had taken over all of his toes. Toes that local medical professionals urged him to have amputated to stop the spread of the disease. But Jerry wanted a second opinion, so we watched him struggle along day after day. We talked with him and tried to persuade him to get that  second opinion ASAP. We feared the worst and today I learned he is no more.

Barely able to walk, he was crossing and was struck and killed by a car. Gone now. In a place where his feet are well and hopefully his heart content. Finally off the streets and in a better place.

As we all go through our day, please pause for a moment to send a wish to Jerry. Let him be a reminder to us all that despite our troubles (and we all have some) life ain't so bad. A roof over our heads, a meal to eat and warm place to lay our heads at the end of the day. Life is good.

Rest in peace Jerry, rest in peace.