Shout-out to My Friend

Just got home, from an amazing comedy show at The Fox with some wonderful and very funny people! Went to get a coffee from Tim Horton's, across the street. And while sitting there with my daughter having coffee, one of my friends (a homeless man who I always refer to as "My Friend" who I met in the coffee shop about a year ago) came into the coffee shop and walked over to me. He smiled and said, "How are you, Gloria?" He knows my name because when I first met him, he asked me... my name after I brought him a coffee and I told him (and he remembers me and knows I will always help him out when I see him). 

We discussed the weather and how helpful the shelter was doing the cold weather. I offered to buy him a coffee and he asked if I could buy him a bagel too .... I did. After paying for his food, I put on my coat to leave and he looked at me and said, "Thank you, Gloria." I replied, "No problem, my friend." The reason for this story is he suffers from schizophrenia but on good days, he is able to sit and have a conversation ... he loves Billie Holiday. 

But I detest how people stare at me for talking to a homeless person .... like he is 'nobody'. Well to me, just because he's homeless and suffers from a mental illness doesn't mean he doesn't deserve kindness and respect.

Shout-out to My Friend! Good-night and be kind ... to everyone. ~ Gloria