Dear Anonymous,
Folks were clear headed this morning. Specific with what they may need. Some of them apologize for their rude behavior yesterday. Seems one of the regulars on the street seems to be getting under folks skin lately. Nerves are raw. Frustration high. Resiliency a rare commodity.On the best of days. Still they speak about him and others with care. They nod toward a woman sitting a bit away from us. They say she's sleeping on the streets.
They bring her over and she is hesitant to take too much. First of all because she has to carry it. Secondly because she only wants to take her share. Damn, she is young.
She walks away with a new backpack she has chosen and a warm wool blanket (thank you Dear Anonymous), a beautiful hand knit sweater and a vest. Some socks, which she was worried about this morning. A coffee card and a piece of coffee cake. Her face glows in the light from the storefronts.
I see her but honest I see me, my daughters, my friends daughters and our granddaughters.
She is grateful and thanks you all, Dear Anonymous. I have no heart to lift my camera to her face in that moment but around the corner is a couple of people wrapped in a pink fleece. Tucked into a storefront. The view from the coffee shop.They will wake to socks, and coffee cake. And a view of people sitting having coffee.