A Visitor in Need: What to Do in the Economy of Days?

In January 2012, I visited the Boston Museum of Art for the special Degas exhibit. I took the commuter rail in to the city and traversed the subway to and from my destination. I recall vividly a slender somewhat ragged and disheveled young man bursting onto the subway and expositing his story in a matter of fact manner to the travelers that day. He told of his troubles, he told of his weaknesses for drugs and trouble, he said he needed to raise money to go to a dependency counseling session, he described a significant injury to his hand and what had happened to him and that he needed medical assistance there as well. He had a goal to raise some money [less than $50] and described exactly to the penny how much he had towards his goal. Could anyone help him out, he asked? It happened so quickly that I didn't know what to make of it and I didnt have any cash in my pocket, and didn't want to pull out my wallet in the crowd....then he was gone...dashing out of the subway. I admired his courage, his imperative to speak, his straightforward approach. He was begging.

Two days ago, I was entering South Station on the commuter rail in the early morning. As we all got up to leave the car, the same young man walked down the aisle. $28.50 was the goal, he had $5. He told of his weaknesses. He explained how he was getting help. He shared his plan for that days activity to travel to a somewhat distant city that I knew for counseling and help. That he had an appointment. Could anyone help? I pulled $20 from my wallet and offered it to him. He was astonished and started to cry. It must not happen often. I asked him if he would meet his goal. He quickly replied about his remaining amount to achieve. I offered a few one dollar bills to fill the gap with an extra three dollars with a suggestion that I knew that $2.77 would purchase a Dunkin Donuts egg and cheese bagel...my normal breakfast fare. We walked off the train and talked for a few minutes. I asked his name. John, he replied. He was 29 years old. He had made some poor decisions in his life and had spent six years in prison. He told me of his wife...who was worse off than he was. He had an 11 year old son that he did not see much of but he wished it could be different. I asked him where he had slept the prior night. He said in an ATM booth. He had helped a non-English speaking man who was beating on the ATM machine because he couldn't get his money out through poor understanding of the language how use the ATM to get his money out early in the am. The man had given him the $5 to start his day.

I had only just met John. I could not determine if he was telling the truth or not. He talked of drugs. Of AIDS. His hands were craggy and dirty but showed the charcacter of his tribulations and his trials. He was slender, animated, but seemed to be purpose driven. I took only a few moments to talk with him of my life, my struggles recently about joblessness and then recent employment not to be compared to his journey, that I had met him before in January and remembered him, and that today, I had the money to offer him. I told him that I knew that my money that day would not solve his continuing need, that I would pray for him, for his plight required more than I could do in a moment. I don't tend to share my prayer life with others necessarily but this man affected me.

Just before parting ways, I realized I had two apples in my jacket pockets for the day, I offered them both to him. It was funny because he thought I was offering one or the other of his choice. He was a bit surprised that I would give him both. His need was greater that day and I would go without in remembrance of our meeting. So I pondered him throughout that day and the next. I would have a family to return to that evening, sleep in a warm bed, and share an evening meal with those I loved. I had Blessings. There are so many more like John in this economy who are struggling.

Part of my thinking is to use my art to make a difference. In the life of John and others like him. One of my immediate goals in sketching is to draw from memory after a brief observation period. This is my first attempt at a memory drawing. The start of a Journey. And dear Readers, pray for John and others like him. Perhaps we can give some from our Plenty and our Time in a thoughtful direct manner. Perhaps we can make a small difference in the lives of others where there is Need in this Economy of Days.

Daily Sketch: John - Copyright James E. Martin 2012