Homelessness

Signing on the Corner

I’m glad I didn’t need to do that

Signing on a Street Corner

When I was homeless in Minneapolis I walked everywhere. Unless it was too far to walk, then I would take a bus or the light rail. I would walk to Nicollette Mall. The street would be covered with homeless people with their signs.

It was a profitable business

The cardboard signs all asked for money. A lot of homeless people made a good living signing on corners and medians. I never signed. It wasn’t because of my fear of losing any self-respect I had left, I didn’t need to do it.

I was tempted many times

I would think about it on occasion when it approached the end of the month and I was out of books to read. I wasn’t much of a drinker, that’s where most of the signer’s money went to, but I’m a voracious reader.

Every month, I would walk to Barnes & Noble and buy a book or two and a cup of coffee. I would entertain the thought of taking up signing, but the one thing that scared me was Olivia calling and finding out what I was doing.

I care about her opinion

Even before we met in person, I was concerned about how she thought of me. I never took up signing, but one thing I learned about myself, I would do whatever was necessary to survive.

It was a hard thing to hear

A Vocational Rehabilitation Assessment had confirmed that I wasn’t able to work. I was still uncomfortable taking General Assistance and food stamps.

Being homeless and on Welfare went against everything my parents taught me, but I didn’t know what to do about it. I accepted my situation, but I wasn’t happy about it.

Her love saved me

When I was in Minneapolis I walked a line that could have gone in either direction. I could have taken the path of booze and drugs. I would still be there on Welfare and Food Stamps today if I had chosen that path.

I chose to take a risk and move to another State. To be with a woman that I met on Facebook, and was the best decision I ever made.

I’m so grateful for my wife Olivia, without her love, concern, and prayers I would be in an unhappy place. Sometimes you have to take a chance, a leap of faith, I’m glad I did.