Caught this on the BBC news site. Wandering Scribe. It’s from a lady who has been living in a car for 8 months or so. She’s jobless, homeless, partner-less, etc. But not your average homeless person. Not living in doorways or parks or anything like that. Got to admire her. She deserves better, but I guess she’s not the only one. I’ve always thought “there, but for the grace of God, go I”.
I remember, some years ago, when I was doing Restart training (training people who were without jobs on how to get a job), there was a really nice guy on the course, a very intelligent, personable and willing chap, in his 50’s, who had been unemployed for some time, though not for want of trying. He told me, one day, about the time that he managed to get a job as a street cleaner, and how people would spit at him, be abusive to him and drop litter – but only where he had already cleaned. First, it’s amazing that people will be so inconsiderate and rude and second, how he was still personable. He had had a lot of problems once his marriage broke up and he found himself on a downward spiral that he just couldn’t get out of.
I think Wandering Scribe had the same thing – one or two things that went wrong, leading to a place that it is hard to get out of. If I were in the UK and had a spare place for her to stay, just while she got herself sorted, I like to think that I would do it. All she needs is a permanent address to allow her to get a job – and then, she can start to rebuild her life. I haven’t read all her blog, but I will. And, maybe, if I were actually in the UK I wouldn’t offer her a room – but I really like to think that I would. I’m amazed that no-one has done that yet.
Who knows what the future may bring. I know it could be me in her place. And would I be as good as to make sure that I had ironed clean clothes, a shower every day (when you haven’t got one at home and can’t afford to go to the swimming baths)? It’s the relentlessness of it all, the struggle just to have the basic human comforts that we, in the ‘civilised ‘world, take for granted. Civilised? That someone who has enough about them to look after herself, even when she has no visible means to do so, can be allowed to sleep in her car and not given a proper place/room to call her own? It does make you wonder sometimes.
My heartfelt best wishes go out to her. I hope she is able to find the peace, home, job, etc., that she needs and wants.
The weather here, in Milan, is truly fantastic. High 20’s I would say. Yesterday it was not possible to stay out on the balcony for more than about 10 minutes in the sun. I shall miss this.
Did one lesson this morning (it’s a general holiday here – known as a Bridge Day – tomorrow being the actual holiday – Republic Day) at the guy’s home as the office was closed. Got to prepare everything for the end of this week and next, but, I’m afraid, my heart isn’t in it any more. Still, not long now.