Oh the weather outside is frightful

Almost all of the people I know live in this great state of North Carolina. We are considered a southern state. However every once in a while, old man winter takes a trip south and visits North Carolina. Welcome Old Man Winter. It is cold outside. It is that type of cold that takes your breath away and then you have to cough because your lungs are in shock.

Living in the Raleigh area has exposed me to new things. I have enjoyed the performing arts, museums, great restaurants and shopping. But I have also taken notice of the homeless woman who lives in the bushes of Moore Square. I pass this lady every day and sometimes catch her sweeping her corner in order to keep her place nice and clean. There are the homeless that you find in their usual spots at Stop lights or just off an exit ramp from the belt line. Then there is the homeless guy who lives in the woods next to the building that I work in. There is no telling how long the woods has been his home, but he has been there since my first day of work almost 5 years ago. You could catch him every once in a while checking out the trash cans outside our doors for food, seeing if anyone left a drag on a cigarette or he could just be walking around.

I have always wanted to help this man. I have left him a blanket and the beginning of the walk path to the center of the woods. I have left him my leftover lunch, perched on the trash can for him to find. The data entry group does the same thing. I thought about this man this week. Kris was gracious enough to give up one of his coats for me to leave at the edge of the woods yesterday morning. The coat was still there that afternoon and this morning. Kris asked if the man took the coat and I said "No". I hope he is in a shelter tonight and has found warmth. Hopefully he will accept the coat and stay as warm as possible during the cold winter months.

I wonder on a daily basis what happen to the lady who lives on the street corner and the man who lives in the woods. How did they get to this place in their lives? I am grateful for all of the blessings I have received in life. I will pray for the homeless tonight, that they may find warmth during this cold weather.