Today I needed pads. So I braved the 109 degree heat and slid into my little car then zoomed down to the local dollar general. (p.s. For all of you who are bent on saving money – go there! Walmart is great but dollar general offers generics which are cheaper than anything walmart has on their shelves…) When I reached my destination I exited my car and inwardly groaned when I saw him. It isn’t that he is a bad person or anything but he has a bad memory so one ends up having the same conversation with him twice – once when you go into the store and second when you exit. He hangs outside the stores at the local shopping center, with his teddy bears and flowers tucked into the basket on the front of his rusty bicycle. He is short with long, dirty gray hair, wears glasses and smokes like a house on fire. To some, he would be your typical, annoying homeless man. To me, he is someone who reminds me of what I do have and keeps me from complaining about the difficulties in my life.
As I walked past him he handed me a copy of a recent newspaper article. Scanning the headline it dawned on me that it was about him. As I strode towards the feminine products section I continued reading the article and was surprised at the content. According to this report, our local homeless man had a rich history of making millions and spending them. He claims to have worked for hugh hefner as a photographer when he was young, then sped off to vietnam and returned to become a multi-million dollar salesperson. hmmm. First thing that I thought was that the wool had been pulled over the reporter’s eyes. I actually laughed! His reason for being broke now is that he wanted to spend all his money while he had it because one never knew when they would die. This sounds like movie material that we would all tear up over but in real life how ridiculous is that? Would you waste away all your money in lieu of securing your future should you perchance ever become a pensioner? The article is vague saying that no one knows where this man sleeps at night yet he mentions family. It also states that he is the keeper of 19th avenue – watching out for all the shop owners and keeping the riff raff away. I cannot help but be amused at that thought – keeping all the riff raff away. How ironic!
I am a soft hearted person so I am glad to see that this man had his day in the limelight. He was clearly proud that someone had taken the time to hear his story and wanted to share with everyone passing by. His story is far fetched but more power to him if he is out of his mind and remembers a life so full of excitement and success. I left the store and chuckled as he offered me a second copy of his article while asking me if I had a cigarette mentioning that he thought I would since I was “hot”. Getting into my car I watched him approach a few more people, offering an article to each. He is shameless and loving it.
We have “crazy columbia bikers” there’s like three homeless guys on bikes, and they all have their own little quirks, one carries a baby (I believe a cabbage patch doll) strapped to his back and has some sort of helmet with what looks like an orange mohawk brush on the top! Wonder how this guy got the interview in the first place!
This was amusing yet heartbreaking all in one. Years ago, I met a homeless man that kept residence near my work place. At first I kept my distance and politely said hello each day. But one day he started up a conversation, and I realized that he was one of the most interesting characters I had ever met. Truly, he was quite intelligent, with a brilliant savant syndrome. After that, we continued to communicate each day for several years. After I left my employment, I often wondered what had become of him. Interesting how this homeless man you met made his fortune, and then squandered it all away. Hmmmm…
That’s really interesting. You know Alot of homeless one the street are veterans with mental problems. It’s sad but the asylums run out of room and their veteran aid just isn’t enough for them to live on.