It's not always about the photo...

So here’s a brief story which has nothing to do with this photo...well, sort of. I was out taking photos this evening and as I walked back to my bike which is visible to the right in the photo I was looking through the viewfinder of the camera assessing an image just captured. Then out of the shadows I hear, “I don’t want to be in no photo.” It was a guy sitting on a bench in a shadow I hadn’t noticed. As I looked through the camera he thought I was taking his photo. I assured him I was not and asked if he wanted to see the photo but said no. He sat on a bench with a backpack and another bag. I engaged him in a brief conversation but he was very guarded (wouldn’t you be). I was just about to leave when I asked if he could use a gift card to a restaurant. Yes, he said, that he was hungry. I have one for McDonald's and one for Burger King, which would you prefer, I asked. It didn’t matter because he would go straight there to eat, he said. He also asked where the closest restaurant was. There’s a McDonald's and a Burger King a couple miles down Main Street, I told him as he packed up his belongings to try to make it there before they closed. I gave him both cards and tears welled in his eyes, then mine. I won’t mention anything specific about this person other than he was not from Buffalo (the reason he did not know the location of the restaurants), was sober, and is also former military. It always gets me when I meet these guys who have served our country but are now on the street. I brought up a map on my phone and showed it to him. “I should be able to make it there before they close,” he said as he began to stride away. But then he turned and said, “You are a blessed man.” Again, my eyes welled with tears. The moral of this story is this...whatever your stereotypical views are of the homeless, reconsider your thought. I’ve said this before but it merits to say it again...no one—absolutely no one—aspires to be on the street. But some end up there, and once there it is difficult to claw your way out. Tonight I met this gentleman and my heart is cracked wide open. Thank you, friend, for letting me see you which in turn made me see my own shadow.