BUD
Well-Known Member
No offense taken whatsoever Bud. Was actually talking about this earlier today with my grandma, and thanks for asking.
Im not homeless right now. (Although I dont have a landlord or a mortgage either, yet.)Was for longer than I would have liked to been. It ain't fun. I usually like to play around when it comes to actual difficult, real life things. Makes it easier. But heres my homelessness.
Couple years back, I was teaching and working part time slingin' produce at Meijer for extra scratch and insurance,(Private school, no insurance and kinda crumby pay.) down in good old Kalamazoo. (Good city if your stuck without a home. The Gospel Mission does wonderful things and has a lot of beds. There's also a big building called the Rickman House downtown.) My Great Uncle was losing his mind thanks to Alzheimer's up in Mid-Michigan.(Home) His in home nurse didn't feel safe anymore, couldn't let herself stay any longer.
So I went. Biggest baseball fan Ive ever known. Loved Dimitri Young like I love Don Kelly. Got a job on a local farm. He got to stay at home, everyone was happy. But his mind was going faster and faster. Didn't even know who I was some days. And he wasnt very happy about strangers in house. And I woke up one night to him over me with a gun and a knife, demanding to know my mission. (He was a ParaTrooper in Africa, Cicily, Italy and France.) I got the gun away quick and luckily the knife before he hurt either of us. But couldn't stay there any longer either. (A friend at work tried to kill himself about the same time, few minths difference. I got his gun. Didnt know he had a knife. Im real glad He didnt bleed out.)Bounced around nights (couches and camped out at a little park between his place and work.)and went there(when he was sleeping if I was lucky)to make him food, do his laundry, take care of his animals and such.
Eventually I started staying at work. (It got fucking cold in the Coleman)There's where the Hobo Nest comes in. One day my friend came up and asked if Id seen who was living in the calf barn. I just kinda stood there. Hahaha. Stunned. "There's a damn Hobo Nest in the corner!" There's a nice kitchen and decent shower out back in the milking parlor. And I was never late. I said it musta been one of the migrants. And took my sleeping bag to the laundromat.
Really long story still long. My uncle had to go to a home. He passed away a couple months ago. (Earlier today my grandma asked if I thought he was in a better place. "I know he is..." Was my reply.) Peacefully in his sleep. Just had the auction on his farm.(Couple days before the Saints Game.) Thought my buddy that's up there in Minny too was gonna get it. He barely got out bid.
So now, just like RobBase, I stay with my folks. 33, living in the room I lived in from 4-17. Only then girls weren't allowed upstairs and now my lady lives in there too. (And my little sister painted over my Maize walls when I moved out) She transferred to Lansing and were looking to buy our first house. She refuses to rent again. (We did throw away a lot of money renting for 8 years.) Spend a lot of time at my Grandmas. Big day over there tomorrow, moving everything out the living room and dining room. New carpet on Wednesday.
She's a social worker and actually stayed over and got a family placed in a shelter tonight. So I know there are some options for folks in the Capitol City too. (I know thru her that there are many services to provide for food and clothing. And a couple options for medical services.)
Really feel for people that have to go thru it. Especially those who don't have the means for food. I can't imagine trying to do that thru the winter.
(Any positives you took from your situation back in '87?)
Have a good one Budimago burn another one!
Well Smitty im glad you dont have to go though that shit anymore.

