Dear Anonymous,
I remember this day. Late fall 2016 and I was new to MaineWorks and totally stunned by the people I was meeting there and with their journeys.This is where street sometimes crosses over with Maineworks.
He was a new employee. His life was up for grabs. He was cold. He was given a coat. He was warmer. And I remember his eyes and his smile. The following words are his:
" Precious, precious life. Yes, sometimes even life itself NEEDS a pair of socks. To many, a sock is just another insignificant, dispensable piece of fabric floating around underneath their bed or around their house.. But to a person living outside, a pair of socks can mean the world and so much more. Even a tiny taste of coveted safety or comfort. Warmth and dryness.... Just a taste.
So we dont forget what it feels like to be alright.
Find a dry place to change them.
Smile a bitter smile, and let your heart break again.
But it is the combined efforts of sock-givers, people-feeders and shelter providers that allow this life to persist. A chance to go to sleep that night, and say "maybe it will get better tomorrow"
Sometimes it does.
For me it did. I will never forget the kindness and i will never forget to pay it forward."
Amen, my Pioneer of Recovery. Amen and Lead the Way.