I joined the U.S. Army at age 20

She loves butterflies… She had butterfly earrings, a butterfly shirt, butterfly tattoos and a butterfly necklace with her apartment key attached to it.

“I joined the U.S. Army when I was 20 because I searched for help when I was homeless, but couldn’t find it… The Army was my best option.” I asked her what she did in the Army and she smiled, “I was a secretary, I typed stuff.” I had to listen closely to every word she said as she was hard to understand, but wanted so badly to tell me her story. As she spoke, she would contort her face as if she were giving her words everything she had to push out of her mouth.

Before I left she said, “I have to take medicine for my mental problems, but I have an apartment and my son lives with me… he is diabetic.”

American Author Richard Bach once wrote, “The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly.” Bach's books espouse his philosophy that our apparent physical limits and mortality are merely appearance.

I have a rock that makes photos

"I have a rock that makes photos... pictures," he told me as he vividly described what the rock can do. "Where is this rock," I asked him? "I keep it in a safe in my office, but if everyone knows it - they could follow me and take it," he stated. 

He told me, "The rock makes photos of dogs, people, everyone see's something different." "I'll show it to you sometime," he said.

William Penn was my great, great grandfather

“I just got out of jail,” she told me. I asked her what her plans were, “I don’t have anywhere to go tonight, but I called my son in Philadelphia.”

I met Margaret Marie White in Nashville. She was sitting in front of a truck stop near I-65. “Have you had anything to eat,” I asked? She told me that she had some popcorn earlier in the day, but that was it. So, we got her a hamburger and fries, which is exactly what she wanted. She went inside the restaurant and quietly took a seat in a booth by herself. 

“My great, great grandfather was William Penn,” she said with a smile. Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania. I had to take a second look at her and noticed her eyes were blue and her skin the color of caramel, as opposed to a Hershey Kiss. Penn of course was as white as snow. She then told me, “My grandfather’s eyes were blue too and so were my fathers.”

William Penn was openly against slavery, even though he owned slaves himself. However, he was said to treat slaves much different than most. While I can not verify her story about Penn being a great, great grandfather, I did find it interesting that Penn was once married to a woman whose middle name was Margaret. He married Hannah Margaret Callowhill, who was his second wife in 1696, when she was 25 and he was 52. 

On a side note, Margaret Marie White (pictured) was jailed for “Trespassing.” Surprisingly, the arrest was made at a homeless shelter in Nashville where she was previously told to leave. 

William Penn once stated, "Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children." 

Dad did drugs

"Growing up, my dad did drugs and I think that had an effect on me and mom," he told me. His elderly mother served in the U.S. Army and told me with a motherly smile, "He has a learning disability." 

I met this man in Nashville under The Bridge (Jefferson Street). He has diabetes and has to give himself a shot daily. He uses a walker to make it from point A to point B. The good news, he lives with his mother in an apartment near the Titans Stadium. She too has a myriad of illnesses, but I could tell they support each other. 

"Family is the most important thing in the world." - Princess Diana

Meet THE CHAMP

He weighed 165 pounds in 1972 when he won the 1972 National AAU Welterweight Championship. At that time, he lived in Chicago and trained in the C.Y.O. Gym. C.Y.O. stands for the Catholic Youth Organization. He was only 20 years old at the peak of his championship award and he hung up his boxing gloves for good at the age of 25. 

Tonight I had the pleasure of giving Freddie Washington, Jr. a tent and water. Freddie, who is known on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee as “Champ,” was one of the nicest homeless men I have ever met. He was extremely polite and humble.

The Chicago Times wrote in 1972, “In three rounds for the 165-pound championship, Freddie Washington of Chicago Heights, 111., and the Army defeated Ed Gregory of Brooklyn, N.Y.” 

Champ told me he took some major blows to the head over his boxing career and at one point, thought he would never be able to speak again. He proved the doctors wrong and put forth the same effort that he did during his training years to re-learn the process of speaking. 

In the 1970’s he trained with greats like Billy Boy Thompson, Floyd Smith, and Warren Thunder. Tonight, I was in the midst of a legend. 

In addition to boxing, Champ was also known for running. In his teen years, he was one of the fastest kids in Chicago wining numerous races. 

Tonight was a great night. 

"Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing." - Camille Pissarro

I was in a head on collision

33-Years ago today (6/28/15) he was involved in a head on collision on his way to a swap meet in Wyoming. He told me, “I was driving my 1967 Chevelle Super Sport that I built myself when I hit a truck head on, it killed my friend who was with me and left me partially paralyzed.” He told me that he had been drinking that day, but still thinks about it daily. “I can tell you exactly when it happened, my friend died,” he said.

I met him in Centennial Park (Nashville), he was looking through trash cans. “I go to the VA Hospital in Murfreesboro… I was in the Navy,” he said with a smile. His arms and stomach are decorated with tattoos that include some of the faces of nurses who have helped him over the years at the VA. “She is the most beautiful person I have met,” he said while showing me the tattoo of Zabreta Collins, a nurse at the Murfreesboro campus. While I likely have her name misspelled, he can likely spell it perfect as she was part of his journey in healing.

Pastor Rick Warren stated after the suicide of his son, “Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It's a journey of discovery - there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.” Warren told 

Have you met Bone?

This is “Bone.” His real name is William T. Bone and he lives on the streets of Nashville, Tennessee. "Bone is my last name, it's my real name," he said as if I didn't believe him.

“I clean the parking lot of Circle K near Belmont, It’s the cleanest parking lot in town,” he told me. Knowing that he does not work for Circle K I asked him why he does that and he told me, “I clean it because they help me and let me use their bathroom… They are nice to me. They don’t usually pay me, but one time they gave me $4 - - I didn’t ask for it. I used the money to buy a sandwich for me and a homeless friend of mine.”

If you look closely, you will see small dot’s tattooed to his left arm. He tattooed the solar system to his arm along with the sun. I asked, “Who did the tattoo?” He smiled and said, “I did.” He pointed it out to me naming every planet.

Bone can often be found on Music Row drawing in his small portfolio. He showed me a picture of butterflies that were actually humans with wings. He then showed me his picture of a Kiss concert that he drew with pen. "Do you ever see any famous people on Music Row," I questioned? "Sometimes, but not usually."

Bone, who is in his mid fifties, has bi-polar disorder and is on his 12th day with brand new medication. One of the side effects is that he feels tired as his body adjusts to the new prescription. “Sometimes I feel happy, very happy and then all of a sudden I feel sad,” he said in describing his bi-polar disorder. As he was talking he said, “It’s weird, I can be mad at someone and then something clicks and I’m like, why am I mad?”

“I feel like I'm a snow globe and someone shook me up and now every little piece of me is falling back randomly and nothing is ending up where it used to be.” ― a quote by Amy Reed, who wrote the book Crazy. Her book is about two people who fell in love, but one has bi-polar disorder.

The fight

All I heard was, "You don't think I'm strong? Say I'm weak!" A nearby U.S. Army Ranger who was in his sixties looked at me and said, "They're just dancing, that's not a fight... I've seen fights and that's not one." The veteran then laughed and shook his head.

“It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them.” ― Alfred Adler

Alfred W. Adler was an Austrian medical doctor, psychotherapist, and founder of the school of individual psychology. Adler worked closely with Sigmund Freud. Smart would be an understatement.

On the outside of the fence

It was interesting, I walked inside the fence and outside the fence of the Gay Pride event in Nashville today. What I saw on the inside were the kids who were picked on in 7th grade, but grown up now. I saw the guys who took art class serious and took creativity to a whole new level, but were not accepted by the jocks. I saw the girls who were not part of the stylish clique of the week in high school. I saw the men who had fathers that abused them... I saw they had a place to fit in while inside the fence. I saw they were fully accepted no matter their size, dress or attitude while inside the confines of the fence.

On the outside of the fence I saw only three people arguing with those on the inside about the choices made on the "other side" of the fence, as if the choices I make (or they make) on the outside of the fence are always 100% perfect or positive in some way - - It was like those on the outside were looking into what they viewed as chaos that they failed to somehow control or capture.

Sometimes it's helpful to walk on the inside of the fence to see the outside.

"Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to cast a stone." - Jesus Christ

Good Chicken

I met this man under the Jefferson Street bridge in Nashville during a special program geared towards providing food for the homeless. He did not have to tell me how good the smoked chicken tasted, I saw his empty plate. 

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."  - Mother Teresa 

I have volunteered for over 5 years

I asked how long he has volunteered at The Bridge ministry under the Jefferson Street bridge in Nashville and he told me that he has been a part of it for over 5 years. People like this man are the real hero's in helping the less fortunate. 

The Bridge Ministry serves food and provides groceries for the less fortunate in Davidson County every Tuesday night. Click here to learn how you can volunteer. 

It's Good to be Seen

"I was in the U.S. Army," he told me with a smile. He was sitting on his small scooter (Hov-a-round) when I noticed him under the Jefferson Street bridge in Nashville. He rode it several blocks from his home near 8th Avenue to get groceries. If you did not know, The Bridge is a ministry program where they hand out food to those in need every Tuesday evening.

"My front tires need to be replaced, but the back ones are good," he said with a chuckle. I quizzed him about the front tires asking where he gets them, "Uncle Sam buys me the tires when these go bald - - SEE, Sam is good for something [laughing]!" He told me he rides his battery powered scooter all over Nashville, even to the VA.

As I turned to walk away I said, "It was good to see you tonight." He responded, "It's good to be seen, beats the alternative [laughter and a smile]!"

Laughter

I met quite the character this evening at the Bridge Ministry, where food is served to the homeless of Nashville, TN.

I was with a friend of mine who was once homeless and we had just visited the gravesite of his brother, who would have been 27 this year. Sadly, he died in a house fire two years ago and his surviving brother wanted to place flowers on his gravestone on the anniversary of his brother’s death. On the way home he told me he wanted to stop by the Jefferson Street Bridge, where the feeding ministry takes place for those without food and water. It was during that stop that we met this man (pictured).

He did not tell me his name, but did tell me he was a U.S. Veteran who served in the Marines. When I asked where he was stationed, he told me… “It’s Classified and Confidential,” and then laughed while opening his mouth wide. I then asked where he was from and he replied, “The United States of America…” ending in laughter.

As the brief conversation continued I asked if he enjoyed the food at the Bridge, “Yes,” followed by more laughter. He kept smiling and laughing.

Well, that was my conversation. It made me laugh and it was a good close to a night for a friend that had a tough day missing his brother. I’m glad he was in such good spirits and was able to make others smile.

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.” - Charlie Chaplin

Girl Scout Cookies offer a big smile to the homeless

A little note cheered Kevin up… The handwritten note on the box of Girl Scout Cookies donated to homeless men and women stated, “You are Awesome.”

The cookies were donated by Girl Scout Troop 6212 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The second grade girls took the time to attach a special note to each and every box that was handed out under bridges, on the street and along railroad tracks.

Kevin is a U.S. Army Veteran who was once stationed in Panama. He battles with schizophrenia and currently lives under a bridge. He is working with Wounded Warriors and the VA to hopefully secure group housing and further help with the voices that torment him nightly. 

Like a freight train traveling through your head

Her wiry hair blows in the wind as she shuffles down the street at six in the morning as she yells at the air before her. She has little control over the arguments she has as the voices in her head have a tendency to make her appear as if she is angry. 

On nights that I hand out food, you have to actually ask her to take the boxed dinners, yogurt, bread and veggies. She has never asked me for a handout... she simply survives in a lonely motel room.

When I ask about her family I have to listen intently as she tells me between fits of what appear to be someone else talking to her - someone I can't hear, but she hears as loud as a freight train roaring past her at 100 miles per hour. She says, "I have a daughter, a daughter, a daughter who lives, who lives in Florida." I smile, "That's awesome, how is she?" She responds, "Good, good, she's real good - but, she's good."

"Schizophrenia cannot be understood without understanding despair." R. D. Laing

God is Good

This man stood-out to me today. As I approached him he was overwhelmingly excited to see me and two of my friends. We gave him several bags of food. "God Bless you, God Bless me with this food," he said repeatedly. He looked to me and then looked towards the sky, "God is Good, God is always Good!"

I cannot explain his enthusiasm over the food he was given. It meant so much to him to receive Chef Boyardee, canned Spam, a jug of water, among many other items.

On a side note, he was hip with his old school cassette Walkman. He told us how much he enjoyed listening to his tapes on it daily. He smiled when he said it outlasts "those iPods!"