Dear Anonymous,
Charles, a lovely man we set up today with backpacks and handwarmers to distribute to the kids he finds on the streets. He buys pencils and notebooks and puts them inside the packs for them. 'I don't know what else to do.' he says.
And this is Robin, a woman who arrived with food and blankets and more.
I only met Robin this year. She has had a lifelong career in social services.
She is holding an image of mine of her cousin David who I knew as a worker down on Custom House Wharf.
Come to find out we ALL knew him out on the street. Everyone nodding, yes, we know him. He was part of this street community. He died a couple of years ago.
This image floated up in Facebook's memory this past fall via a Facebook friend connection and Robin identified it as her family member and we connected.
On a little patch of dirty pavement she opens the envelope to see her cousin.There may have been a few tears. And the guys out here on the street realize they all knew him and that he's gone. A brief street memorial. With few words.
Connection.
Connection.
Connection.
— with Robin Lynn Herrick.