What's New: A Street Person with Frostbite Asks

This morning, before I finished my prayer time, a young man came to the door. He didn't knock or ring the doorbell; instead he tapped on my window.

I quickly went to the front porch to see what was up. When he spoke urgently, asking me to let him in as he had frostbite on his nose and his hands, I realized it was the young man who has been at my door a number of other times of the year. Usually to ask for money. A few times I gave a small bill or two, (when I had it). The last time I'd told him I would never give him any more if he didn't keep his word and come back to repay me as he had promised so many times before.

I stared at him and thought how this bitterly cold weather was keeping me inside. I'd resolved not go to out again until the temperatures came up to the single digits - as they are suppose do on Friday and even up to positive numbers by the weekend. Yet I couldn't let him freeze out there.

I let him come in and he was effusive with his gratitude, showing me his discoloured hands and pointed to his white-tipped nose. He said he had a promise of a place to stay for a week but he needed $40 to pay the rent there.

I checked my purse. I did happen to have $40. So I gave it to him. He had another request; could I drive him to this place on Ave. X? Stunned for a moment I tried to remember which direction that was from here. My car was plugged in and it had started on Sunday.

This chatty fellow is mentally lacking in some basic life skills. But could I send him back out to roam the streets? (Ave. X would be several miles west and south from here.)

While I was putting on my boots he was asking for coffee or tea, and something to eat. I stopped to go plug in the kettle and pointed to the container of puffed rice squares on my desk. He started gobbling them up. Then he wanted to know if I had a cell phone!

I put on my down-to-the-floor brown suede coat with a hood; also Dad's Big blue leather mitts, in which I have a knit pair of mitts, and a knitted pair of gloves. Then I ushered him through the back door and the garden path to the tent garage. He unplugged the car while I unlocked the gate, but the car seemed loath to go anywhere in the cold.

I saw that he was eating something wrapped in foil. I asked where he found that (it had not been in my car!) "Oh sometimes I find food in my pocket that I forgot about."

By the time we reached the little strip-mall where he wanted to get out, he had finished whatever food he had there and dropped the foil on the floor of my car.

My heart and mind are somewhat torn; I care about street people who are in need, but they are not always easy-to-get-along-with.

It does take prayer and grace - especially if caught off-guard.

<*> TIPS & SOLUTIONS: <*>

Safety in Extremely Cold Weather

There are 5 signs of experiencing hypothemia: Confusion, shivering, difficulty speaking, sleepiness, stiff muscles.

Don't be too proud to put on extra large, long old coats and several layers of head-coverings.

Your fingers will be much colder in gloves. Prefer big mitts - the tougher the better, and if they are big, do wear small mitts and gloves inside the big mitts.

in extreme winter weather, especially not alone! If you collapse,

If you are weak, sickly, or in any way handicapped, don't go out who will go for help, or try to carry you to safety?

Remember spring comes after winter. Make yourself wait - it will be worth it!

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