Upright. Arrived in time for coffeecake. Great to see you Tyler Scott.

 
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Dear Anonymous,

Upright. Arrived in time for coffeecake. Great to see you Tyler Scott.

Lots of socks. Hungry for socks. Hungry for shoes. Tshirt supply is gone.
The open maw of the street. The maw of lives pushed to edges.
But there is water to distribute. Boxer briefs to hand out. And it will never be enough.
One young man I offer socks to puts up his hand.
'I'm all set. Hold onto them for somebody who got nothing.'
And I do.

Another man hands me a sweatshirt to 'recycle'. I'll wash it and back on the streets it goes.

He has lived experience of addiction. And recovery. And all the messy territory that lives between...

 
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Dear Anonymous,
He has lived experience of addiction. And recovery. And all the messy territory that lives between these two shores. He has sustained deep personal loss. One of his brothers died from a fatal overdose. Recently. She, as well, recently lost a boyfriend to the same path. They are both employed. Live in a lovely apartment. They choose to visit.
I am just sitting with how that was yesterday to have them hand out packs to folks on the street in his brother's memory. Reflecting on the conversations. How impossible it can feel to make any change. Just how difficult it is to do so. Just how diminished thinking can become out here. Desperation. Urgency. Drama. Being overwhelmed is the norm. Mental illness partners with substance abuse. Trauma is leaking everywhere. Everyone talks at once. No one listening. No one realizing they are talking over someone else. Triggers. Triggers. What's the plan? I need a drink. I need a fix. I need boxers.
For these two to simply arrive. Stand with us. Be kind. Offer something without needing anything. Good medicine. Thank you.