Working the Waterfront.— with Mark Nordli.
One of the 'guys' that is here regularly was a bit upset...
Dear Anonymous,
One of the 'guys' that is here regularly was a bit upset and left to 'adjust his attitude'. He was upset that so-and-so ( an un-named fellow street sleeper) got a coffee card when he's been unable to even stand upright, or fix his pants, or produce a coherent sentence.
He got a coffee card and socks like everyone else.
Mike said, 'This was never about having to behave a certain way. What, he think we gonna do some sort of interview and reject anyone havin' a sh*tty day? For chissakes that's where we've ALL been. This ain't gonna be one more way for someone to feel bad.'
Amen. Sunday Sermon complete.
He is so present today. Continuing his visits to the methadone clinic. Conversations emerge about the street, about the incoming refugees, and about the conundrum.
His wife is here today on a rare visit. She looks so different than when they were on the street and completely stressed. And although it may not be easy now, at least with those basic needs taken care of ...we can smile. And converse. And consider.
Another morning like many but then as the guys disperse...
Dear Anonymous,
Another morning like many but then as the guys disperse and I am getting into my car a woman walking by, a pedestrian, stops. Apparently she's been watching.
'Are you helping out here?' she asks me.
Inside I never know if this is help, but it is connection.
And it's not me, it's a lot of us... a lot of Dear Anonymous's.
She smiles, fumbles in her pocket and hands me cash. And a big smile. I immediately walk into the coffee shop and translate that into more coffee cards...and hand them out.
And so it goes. The words of a recent contributor ringing in my ears:
'If we all just did a little more we could turn this ship around.'
Amen.
The Bow Man of Custom House Wharf.
The Bow Man of Custom House Wharf.
Not too many words this morning.
Dear Anonymous,
Not too many words this morning. Some socks and a few other items. A coffee card. A chance to gaze into the lens the way he does.I notice the scarf, bright white when he claimed it from the pile in my car a few weeks ago,is now worn, and stiff and dingy. He wears two hats. He takes an extra piece of cake...and smiles. A hug. And then he's off.
Rode his bike to Auburn so he could have a room.
Dear Anonymous,
Rode his bike to Auburn so he could have a room. Too much crack, he tells me. Had to get outta' there. So he rode back.
'I'm at the top of the housin' list and they tell me I still got a two year wait.'
He appreciates the socks and tucks away a coffee card for use later. Grabs a piece of coffee cake.
'May I photograph?' I ask.
He says "Of course. I got no problem with that...'
I remind him that the last time I photographed him I had had trouble turning my camera on. This morning my fingers are numb and clumsy and it's about the same.
And he guffaws.
Goddess Chronicles aka: Bait B*tches on the Waterfront.
Goddess Chronicles aka: Bait B*tches on the Waterfront. Couldn't be more proud of all you have built in your life.
Relic on the Tide
Relic on the Tide
Bow Wow
Bow Wow
There was snow in the higher elevations.
There was snow in the higher elevations.
Sharing this with permission from Ricky Martin, currently a MaineWorks employee, who tells quite a story of pioneering into a new life.
Sharing this with permission from Ricky Martin, currently a MaineWorks employee, who tells quite a story of pioneering into a new life. Thank you Ricky, for the courage to tell your story.
"I've had some really bad luck of the past couple years (allot of I created by my own actions) I've overdosed, been arrested several times (several times), got my heart broken by someone I thought was my best friend, I've lost my license for a while, I lost every job I had (some really good ones too), I've gone to prison, I've lost several very good friends to overdose, I've lost some good friends cause I wasn't being a good friend or visa versa, I been cheated on by the last 2 women I trusted, I had a house fire last night and had nowhere to go, I've been ripped off, I lost my apartments, shit this last time I relapsed and went to prison I lost everything I own.
It surprises me that after after all that I still have any drive. That I could even like people or that I can love myself. I should be living in a big bubble of shame and guilt. I could have tried suicide.
But for some reason I feel like I'm in a great place I feel like honestly I'm not only on the right path but I'm creating a whole new road. I'm like right where I should be. The past few days every I've lost seems to get replaced by stuff. Lost my house to fire less the 24 hours I have a better one. Got my heart broken and lost someone I always thought would be there. Even though its rough I've realized that these people I lost hold me back and stop me from being the man I should be and will be now that they are gone. But I've gained so many new friends in this sobriety and found my self. I don't feel awful about my self anymore. The Kaos in my life is gone. I feel like anything can happen and I'll be fine because I'm not doing or saying things to make it worse.
I've got this new job at Maine Works and my boss Margo is amazing the love and support she has shown me is angelic. Her Staff Jenn, Brent, and Cecil hardly even know me and done things to help me that noone has ever done for me. (Besides my dad). These guys are the caring and sympathetic, sincere, kind, people I have ever met. They practice the art grace on a daily basis. They make me feel like family. Like I'm apart of something big. They make you feel wanted and appreciated. I'll never be able to thank them enough. I have new outlook on life. It's positive and with allot of hard work I'll become who God created me to become.”
He always politely begins with 'Excuse me...' before he makes a request or shares some information.
Dear Anonymous,
He always politely begins with 'Excuse me...' before he makes a request or shares some information. And it is an endearing characteristic. Many guys out here will talk over one another, as if they are not used to being listened to. As if they sometimes don't hear one another so focused on their own desperate needs. As if everyones competing needs cannot be met. That's a lot of 'as ifs '.
But he will politely say 'Excuse me....' and it feels like a gift.
He was busy trying to set up a street buddy with some socks and a backpack. A man who was barely able to stand. Barely able to speak. Using his shopping cart to hold himself up.
Thank you Dear Anonymous, thank you.
So good to see this smile, Richard Bender.
So good to see this smile, Richard Bender.
It is mostly men I encounter here in the morning and there is a tacit unspoken code...
Dear Anonymous,
It is mostly men I encounter here in the morning and there is a tacit unspoken code of what colors and styles are acceptable to them. This does not include pink. No one would use this sturdy wheelie bag that would have been scooped up if it were, let's say, black or blue.
'I ain't got NO trouble with that!', Mike says as he steps forward. 'I'll find just the right person who's gonna think this is PERFECT!'. A huge smile. And I think ' Now, that's big.'
Mike is in good shape this morning, rounding up folks who need items and keeping 'order' .
When I leave he shouts 'Now, she's leavin'. You all say goodbye.!' Part drill sergeant. Part old school polite country boy. and then, 'Love ya, ma.'
Thank you Dear Anonyomous, for these bags of ALL colors. The guys know who you are and for who you go through lengths to get these to them. They know. #maggiesmission
He arrives this morning with a little list written on a worn piece of paper...
Dear Anonymous,
He arrives this morning with a little list written on a worn piece of paper, made soft by constant handling and moving from pocket to pocket.
They are items his friend could use.
'He's a big guy, and he has nothin'. '
We try and find a few things that he can deliver. Enjoys the coffeecake and before he hustles down the street, stops and says ,'Thank you.'
Quiet today. Trying to organize his gear...
Dear Anonymus,
Quiet today. Trying to organize his gear.
So quiet. And then he looks into the lens.
And a story, not word ripe, begins.
I do not know his whole story, nor is that mine to share but he shares this.
Dear Anonymous,
I do not know his whole story, nor is that mine to share but he shares this. He is making his way. Couldn't get a bed in a shelter last night. Slept on the street. Got a job last week and he tells me he's being considered for managerial level work already. Insecure housing doesn't quite say it all.
'I'm trying.' he says.
Holy good god, I'd say.
He is appreciative of the blankets you have sent, and a coffee card and those endearing socks and thermal layers.
Talk about overcoming obstacles. He seems to be gaining some traction in a land of of traction less-ness. Awe inspiring.
Someone recently sent this DEAR ANONYMOUS effort a check.
Dear Anonymous,
Someone recently sent this DEAR ANONYMOUS effort a check. It is from an artist who reserves 50% of their sales for ARTISTS IN SERVICE TO HUMANITY (their reference name).
If that was not enough to completely stop me in my tracks,
her words certainly did:
'If we all just did a little more we could turn this ship around.'
That money will go to coffee cards. Thank you Dear Anonymous, thank you.
This giving without expectation of personal reward is sometimes referred to as eudaemonia, and implies the well being, a sense of wellness arising from giving, and the giving that is the natural result of a level of wellness.
Thank you. I know this is the path this gentleman photographed here uses on his journey back to himself. He always describes the well being he experiences, his 'high' from giving to others. How giving helps him hold to his sobriety. Makes it worth it.
Thank you to the generosity of spirit I see here. Including the man who arrives most mornings in his car, head down to get a cup of coffee and never saying hello or responding to the guys. And then he walks over one morning recently and hands me a fine pair of thermal gloves, offering them for 'distribution.' Thank you.
I would find some comfort finding you just like this.
I would find some comfort finding you just like this.
Gathering. Wrapping. Protecting. The Hunkering Down Season.
Gathering. Wrapping. Protecting. The Hunkering Down Season.