This is Jersey...

This is Jersey. He’s one of the regulars in the neighborhood and if you’ve visited this page prior you’ve seen him as I’ve profiled him before. This is the third time I’ve captured his image. I won’t tell his story again—the original is still on my page—and I didn’t tell his full story as it is too personal and I feel people may judge. What I do know of Jersey is that the system has failed him. Yes, he likely has a drinking problem, he had an open beer when I spoke to him this evening. I just came from having a beer at an outdoor patio on the very same street a block away, does it make me better than him? If so, then judge me as well. Anyhow, I’m jumping ahead as I often do. I’ll start over. While walking home I saw him and knew that he would ask for money, he always does. When he did I asked him when the last time he ate. He had to think about it for a minute, then told me “Yesterday sometime.” When I asked what he had he couldn’t remember. I gave him a gift card to a restaurant just down the street and his eyes lit up and he said “I’m going to get a sandwich,” and he began to get up. Before he did I asked if I could capture his image, and afterwards he said, “Let me see, let me see” and smiled at the result when I showed him on camera. I’ve mentioned before that I don’t always tell a person’s story or take their photo when I chat with them on the street and this is the case with Jersey. The reason I mention this is that I want the people who have given me gift cards to give away know that you have personally purchased Jersey at least ten meals. You did, I am simply the messenger. If you met Jersey you would be able to tell straight away that he would not be able to work, that he has issues. The system has failed him. I know this because I have heard his story but will not get into the politics of it as that is not my thing. My point is this, I suppose. I sat down the street and had a beer on the sidewalk of a makeshift patio in a cafe because of the pandemic, but Jersey sat on the street with his beer just a couple blocks away. Am I better than him? I personally don’t think so. 

“Those without sin cast the first stone.” John 8:7