I was born in bourne, Mass, on Cape Cod. I lived there untill I was 7 yrs. old. I remember when I was four yrs. old, we always had wine with Sunday dinner. From 7 to 14 yrs old I lived in Charlestown, outside of Boston, Mass. My father died in 1972, and we came to California to live around my mothers family, in Hickman and Waterford. when I went to High School in Hughson, I was told I had to go to speech class. I tried to tell them the Eastern people are more educated in their speech and I've never needed speech class before. I refused to take the class, so the Principal had me take two periods of lunch instead. In 1974 I got married and didn't graduate. The marriage lasted 10 yrs. and was very abusive. It left me with a permanent attitude. Time has gone by since then, where I have found myself alone, out on the streets.
Its rough out here. People come by and throw things at you, when your sleeping just to torment you. The cops hastle you, because the only place you can go in Modesto, is to a park. And Cesar Chavez Park, on 4th street, is my park. I've been here, in this area, for 15 yrs. The people around here, thats lived here for many yrs., they see me out here, by myself, because I don't have a significant other. I was first homeless in 1989. And these people have seen what I've gone through, being all by myself. Alot of the people out here, I don't know personaly, but if I needed them in a desperate situation, they would help me. And it feels good to know that there is somebody there that cares. I've been homeless, and slept at the check cashing place for 2 yrs. on H st., on the side by the freeway, by myself. The people at Wings Market, and the other close by stores, all chipped in and provided a porta potty for the homeless in the parking lot.
I washed my hair, brushed my teeth, and took a bird bath every morning, by using a water spiket, even in the winter time. Just because your homeless, doesn't mean you can't keep up with your appearance and personal hygeine. When you're homeless in Modesto, you cannot starve. The temporary emergency shelter that was recently opened in January, then closed in April, is a good idea. That's what Modesto desperately needs. And closing any shelter in Modesto is a very bad idea. Homeless people can't go anywhere. There's nowhere they are welcomed to be. The cops harrass the homeless, and if they would take some of these empty buildings and open them up, there would be no homeless people on the streets. My favorite color is pink, and my favorite foods are, steak, pizza, and chinese food. I love walking barefoot in the rain. I'm thankful for all of the people I know on the streets. When your out there on the streets, just keep it in mind that your just camping, and life does get better. There was a time when I camped on the river, with some friends of mine. And every morning Randy, a christian friend of ours, would bring us hot coa coa, coffee, pastries, and sometimes an egg breakfast with the trimmings. He would show up at about 6:00 a.m. in the morning, with a smile on his face, - ready to serve us. There are some people out there that truly care. So homeless people are truly blessed. |
