The Invisible Man

My heart was touched today. Where I live I never see homeless people, in my local grocery store sat a man surrounded with his bags of personal belongings. He sat on the bench at the entrance of the store eating peanut butter out of a jar it was very apparent he was homeless. This would be the second time I walked past him. And I could not stop thinking about him as I walked to my car and how many others walked past him without a word. I had to go back….. I walked back taking what cash I had on me and introduced myself his name was Valdez. I knew that he may of had some issues because he told me I could verify his name with chase bank LOL! I asked him where he was staying he proceded to tell me he was staying with his sister but she’s deceased now and began to tell more stories of where he has stayed. I interupted him and asked him “Where did you stay Lastnight?” He answered “Wherever I could find outside” I of course knew that would be the answer I told him I would try to find him a place to stay and told him I’d be right back. I spent a half hour calling shelters and did not find one that had an opening. Quite a few of the shelters you had to leave a message even 1-800-a-shelter. I never felt so helpless. I knew I couldn’t bring him to my house to my family. I returned to Valdez and told him the bad news and told him I was going to go home and call more shelters. He told me he wasn’t going anywhere. I found it to be a big disappointment that there is no availability for a man like Valdez how many people are sleeping in the rain tonight or will die in the cold weather this year? I realized tonight I can’t help everyone but I know and pray that Valdez is warm tonight if not his body but his heart knowing that one person tonight did not treat him like an invisible man.