Dear Anonymous,
This is Patrick. He says he's not photogenic but if I want to photograph him I can, so long as I don't ask him to pose.
He was delighted with a coffee card, socks, a hat.
'Knit for US?', his eyes widen in disbelief.
The woman he is with chooses thoughtfully and carefully from the women's clothes I have from all of you. Takes a few thermal items. She is very kind and acts prepared to be photographed, and when I ask her if she would rather not be photographed, she exhales with relief and says 'I'd rather not.'. And it is so good to have that clear between us.And so it shall be. Or shall not be, as the case may be.
Later he stands at the sidewalk calling out to me and shouting and miming a beautiful blessing that I don't feel big enough to receive. But I will for all of Dear Anonymous.
Something that includes gestures from his heart broadcast in a sweeping gesture toward me, something that looks and feel like gratitude. And maybe an ounce of surprise.
Tells me he's been on the streets 15 years.