To be homeless...

Hi Mariaperalta. I have been homeless years ago. I don't remember why or how I became homeless but I can remember that it wasn't a pleasent experience. And I thank God that a woman had pitty on me and helped me get off the streets with a job. I look at all these homeless people and think to myself this is the USA how can this be that these people don't have some way to make it off the streets. It really bothers me to see these homeless people in the cities especially the fighiting men and women that went to war for our freedoms. It was strange not to have a warm bed to crawl up in and it was hard not to have something to eat when I wanted it. Not a good situation at all. I thank God everyday for all the blessings HE has bestowed upon me especially now that I have a warm home and a loving husband plenty of food to eat God gave this to me. If you see a homeless person that needs help and you can God will bless you for helping them. Believe me these people didn't choose that life for some reason or another they have fallen on hard times. I live way out in the boonies so I never see the homeless but they are still there. There are many out there that think that all a homeless person wants is a bottle of something to drink that is false they want better for themselves. Always trust God and your heart.

I lived in the back of my van for three weeks and then eight weeks, so i have a taste of what it could be like. It's not fun. I would go to the city park in the morning and clean up in there before going to work. I would wash my hair in the sink, and take a sponge bath. It was very difficult to do. There was electricity so I could plug in my curling iron and hair dryer if the need presented itself. Once I had enough money, I bought myself a membership to Planet Fitness. I would exercise, strength train and then shower before going to work. I had survival instincts and did what I could to be clean and presentable. My membership cost me $200. I was still sleeping in the back of my van, but I was making it work even though I was very uncomfortable. The nights were hot. I had to keep my doors locked. If I rolled my windows down, the bugs would bite me something fierce. I was in the van through several night time thunderstorms. It was miserable, hot, humid and lonely. I would eat things like prepared rice, coffee, tea and fruits. I had oatmeal in those prepared containers for my morning meal. I ate a lot of peanut butter and jelly sandwich's. Living on the street is hard. At least I had a job and a way to clean myself. I knew how to get to the park to get myself cleaned up and changed into some clean clothes.

I am a lucky person. I have good parents taking care of me since I was a child. It is hard to be without food, shelter and homeless. I saw some poor ones here who sleep during nights at streets. I am sure I want to be give them some extra money in the future.

I have been homeless. We lived in a tent with our 3 month old daughter. It was cold, we had nothing to eat, and it was the worst time in our lives together. We had 5 blankets and it was still so cold it was almost too much to bear. It was the middle of winter in Virginia. Our poor daughter got so sick from sleeping outside that she was in the hospital for 6 days. We lived in a campground in a tent. We had no towels or wash cloths so we could not shower or anything, the bathroom was outside so it had no heat in there where we could just dry off without a towel... It was a horrible experience. We felt nasty, sick, hungry and cold. We prayed for a miracle every single night before bed. We were lucky because we did get a miracle. We were walking trying to figure something out to get food and money and a guy called out to us and asked my husband to come to work for him at a pizza place. So my daughter and I rode with him on deliveries and my husband would sneak me some food at times. We slowly saved the money from that job. We went from a cold tent to a motel room where we could at least be warm and shower. Once we got enough money up to get back to NC from that job we moved here and stayed with family until we got our own place again... I feel grateful actually to have went through it though because every time something bad happens in our life I feel like I can get through it if I got through being homeless. My husband and I are strong people, I never realized it until we went through that and we made it together.

I think it would be hard especially during the colder winter months, such as today is - 10C but still cold down to the bones. I know many who are rather lazy, I could never dream of living on the streets, so I work hard for my money and give up alot of things just to pay the bills.

Hi maria peralta. That would be a nightmare for me. I always thank god for making me so lucky. It is really interesting to see how often we get irritated and rant how unlucky we are. But I dont think that would ever happen as even if I go bankrupt I have so many friends and relatives that I wont have to think of actually staying in the street. Anyways have a nice day ... ~=SuperShames=~

From someone who are has been homeless before, it is not an easy task. Fortunately for me, it has been over 17 yrs since I was homeless, but there are lots of memories none the less. Some could be like me who have family around, but none of them really want to help. Many of them out there these days are just down on their luck. They ended up loosing their jobs, and then their homes, many their cars so they have no where else to go. It is not easy, and many of them once back on their feet take time to work with the homeless, as I do. But when we really look back, there are many of us that are only a paycheck or two from being there ourselves.

It is not a pleasant experience, just put it simple for you. You should try your best not to become homeless, having a home can keep you warm in the winter at the very least, living in the street will not, not even mention some of the danger regarding personal safety issue you will face living in the street. Count yourself blessed that you never have to become homeless, and always get to have a roof over your head.

Yes, we are all lucky to have a safe place to live. Today, Tigger and I did a good deed for a homeless pet. Not sure the whole story, but there has been this cat that seems to be hanging around the complex. It seems as though Tigger (my kitty cat) has made friends with the cat. I say cat because it is a really big cat like twice Tigger's size. The cat showed back up and aparently Tigger invited the cat into the house. It was like I saw the cat come in the house; then TIgger. The cat was looking for food so I moved the crunchy food bowl into the living room since it looked like the cat was wanting food. It stayed for a little bit to have some food. I tried to say hello to it, but the cat seemed quite sketish of people. After eating the cat decided to leave. It went back out to the patio and jumped over the wall. Tigger kept looking for the cat even after it left.

I have also thought abut this. I think most people do at times. It would not be easy or a good feeling to be homeless. I do feel for all those people. But I am one person on a fixed income and really cannot help the way I would like to. But if I had all the money in the world, I would make sure no one, especially here in america, would ever be homeless again. I do think that people in general should help others.

I know how it feels to be dumped outside on the street, that is what my mother did to me as I was about 8-9 years old in the winter (without coat or shoes). I know how it is to be dumped by my father at my aunt (one I never met before) and stay in her house without family and depending on her goodness. I know how it is to live alone with a baby at the age of 18. I know how it is to move each year again and to hide. So I know for a big part how my husband feels if he lives on the street (or sleeps in a cab). I know how it feels to really be hungry. I also know that it's different if you live alone on the street or with children. So I won't let that happen because I don't want my children to live on the street but I want them to have a home and feel save.

I try to give a little something to those who are begging at the traffic lights. I give to those who really look down and out. Some of them look OK and they look like they are trying to earn easy money for travelling. But there are indeed people that are really homeless. One time, my husband and I took a walk to the nearest shopping center. It wasn't that far from our house where we used to live. We decided to walk behind the mall just for an interesting walk. We saw where one homeless man made a makeshift camp for himself. He wasn't there at the time. But in the bushes, there was a sleeping bag, pillow and a few blankets. There was a lot of litter nearby. Well, he wasn't the tidiest person but that was definitely where a homeless man's sleeping area or his 'home'. We decided to just leave everything the way it was and just walked by quickly. It seemed to be a safe place for someone to sleep and perhaps, that is what he needed. I have crocheted hats for the homeless and given food to the homeless. Little things, but hopefully, meaningful things that show that someone does care about the homeless.

I have never thought about it before.B ut suppose if I am really homeless,I am sure I can not bear it.It is hard to imagine sleep in the street in such a cold winter night.We should be grateful for what we already have now.

Hi Maria,I believe that everyone wants a home,even in a small house with the most simple decoration,it would be better and more safe than wandering in the street.It is difficult especially in a cold and rainy day.I am really thankful I have a warm home with my lovely family. Best wishes to those homeless people,may peace and health with them all the time.

If ever given a chance, i'll probably give it a try. I mean as person, contentment is really hard to achieve. But there are situations that will make you realize how blessed you are.