Homeless often means a prior life and any return to it is out of the question. Especially when one is advanced in years. There are as many reasons for this situation as there are individuals experiencing it. Young or old, no one comes with a pocket full of money, a big retirement account or a government check that is usually not enough for one person to live on for a month. Few people come to this estate without being sick, needing medication or getting that way with exposure to the elements and the many dangers that live outdoors. Many would like nothing better than to get straightened out with the available help. But lacking transportation or communication is a big roadblock. There are people with alcohol and/or drug dependency whose illness keeps them from help. Church groups come around with food and clothing in one hand and bibles in the other. They get angry if the next time they visit, their victim is not a devoted follower of their view of how to live life.
As to daily living, it's easy to imagine if you have ever gone camping outdoors. But also imagine that without a camp stove, a freezer chest with food and water, a portable toilet or even a tattered tent to stay dry sometimes. That's what it's like having to beg people for food who sneer at you and insult you. The police are another matter and will be discussed in another installment. This year it's worse than it's been in the past. I'm trying to research the reasons why and will writh about it.
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