The Word from the Streets - October 23, 2002

Namaste

Our Ganesh Giri wasn't able to join us today, so I was chosen to drive our beloved "Big Red." I drove her with great pride. It was chilly and damp today. There were lots of people at Peachtree and Pine. We had one line going with lunches and water and another with some clothes. I don't know how it happened, but the boxes of donated clothes were all orange. Oh my God...All I could think about was our Mother Ashram and all of those wonderful and colorful Swamis. We all got catapulted back to Kashi for a moment! Ahhh...Anyway, back on the streets things were getting intense and frenzied. Although peoples moods were calm, there was lots of crowding around us to get lunches. This was the first time Jacqueline had experienced this. She told us that she was overwhelmed and intimidated by it. There were lots of new faces today. Kristina really took command of the food line. She believes she's finding her voice since she's been on her juice cleanse. You go girl...I'd listen to her too! Our dear 'smiley Todd' rounded the corner with a giant cookie decorated with a Halloween witch on top. He had gotten it for Jaquelines daughter Selina. We were all so touched at his kindness. And we were all touched that Selina shared it with all of us (not to the fasting girls)!.

Renaissance Park wasn't too busy. Our Homer was there waiting for us full of smiles.

Woodruff Park was interesting today. Lots of people wanted to hang out and talk to us, even new ones. Julia was there bigger than life. Evidently she was in bed resting and David yanked her out and to go see us. She's doing so much better since she's received the correct health care. One of the new guys I met is Wallace. The only book he's interested in is one that he could improve his vocabulary to get a better job. Another new guy is O'dell. He's just recently been released from prison. He's having difficulties getting the proper paper work together. He said that life has been difficult since he's been out. I noticed he had about eight large envelopes wrapped in plastic under his arm. He told me that during the fifteen years he was in prison he wrote poetry. He would love to be able to see it get published, but he's too overwhelmed to think about all that's involved with such an undertaking. He told me that he wants to share some with me next Wednesday.
This is getting to be the season when desperation for food, clothes and love is intense. Our prayers are with all of these wonderful people

I'm so grateful to serve in the name of Neem Karoli Baba

Namaste,

Sadhu