I call him Spoon Man because he plays the spoons. In fact, I have given him three sets of spoons in the past year, but people keep stealing them from him. I even lifted one pair from the Hard Rock Café once. Well, I walked in and asked for them and they handed the spoons to me and I walked back out. So theoretically I asked for them, but they looked surprised when I left out the same door I walked in.
Anyway, Spoon Man has lived on the streets for the past 8 years. However, he quit drinking 11 years ago. 11-years was too late because it caused serious neurological problems. He told me that one night he blacked out a total of three times. The drinking is what is believed to have led to his Cerebellar degeneration, which is a disease process in which the neurons in the cerebellum - the area of the brain that controls muscle co-ordination and balance - deteriorate and die. That being said, he has some trouble getting around.
A few days ago I bought Spoon Man a foot long steak and cheese sub. I watched as he ate a little less than half and then he carefully wrapped the remainder of the sandwich in paper and then placed it in his bag. I asked why he did not eat it all and he said, “I want to give the rest to a friend of mine.” He later told me that his friend is also homeless and that she is likely hungry.
Those who are homeless often give everything they have to others.
Rest in Peace. He was found dead on the morning of Saturday 9/26/15.
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” ― Winston S. Churchill