I sell the paper in a little neighborhood friendly commercial spot in East Nashville. One of the great things about East Nashville is it retains 19th century pre automobile city codes, which makes it very pedestrian friendly, but it’s a little tough for people in cars to stop there for me. I prance around the corners as lights allow, or just sit where pedestrians can say hello, which allows me to make funny comments, pet dogs and make more personal connections. I like that. However, I had a goal to try to get to a Christmas dinner with some long lost relatives. It’s just a sad story that many poor people or even others have about their family dynamics. My grandfather had blamed my mother for my father’s suicide. That side of the family cut off my sister and I, both orphans. My uncle and I had lost track of each other for 40 years. Then he found me.
Anyway, I was really desperate to get some real money flowing and get more people involved with the paper. So I went up to the Greenfield Kroger at Gallatin Road. There was a homeless man with a broken wrist that hadn’t healed properly because he couldn’t get medical care. He got fired when he broke his arm. You may recall that Tennessee is a “right to work” state. A person can be fired for hurting themselves, and there will be no consequence to the corporation. He failed to get an appointment before his insurance expired. He used his last money to go buy a tent. He didn’t eat for a week. Now he won’t abandon his spot for any reason because he’s afraid he won’t eat that day.
I did see some of my customers stop and offer ways to help him. One cyclist even brought a new sleeping bag for him. Sometimes that’s all you can do. People are afraid to leave the one spot they found that might be safe.
As is usual, in a dire situation, he is feeling isolated, hopeless and doing some self-medicating. I have told him how The Contributor is such a helpful place. They can help him get an address, foodstamps, and a place to live. He’s doubtful. And he doesn’t feel he can meet any kind of time deadlines. I told him the deadline is pretty flexible. He can get there anytime in the morning up until about 12:30 in the afternoon to get a training session and some free papers. On a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. But keeping track of the day of the week when you are that down is difficult. It can be difficult to keep the phone charged, stay oriented to a regular schedule or even the time of day specifically. He is still doubtful. This is actually normal for someone who’s in this type of situation. Just remember if you were trying to talk to someone, it might take a number of conversations, some warm food, hydration, and a while before trust can be built. Anyway, he gave me “his” spot for an afternoon.
A lovely gentleman named Mike stopped and bought the paper. When he saw me back at my usual spot, he parked, walked out to the middle of the pedestrian intersection where I am, and bought the second wrapping paper edition. I thanked him, learned his name, and know that he will be looking out for me. So many people have stopped to buy the paper, read my articles, and then comment back to me about it. I get to publish nearly every issue, and that is so exciting for me. My goal is to become a photojournalist, researcher and/or a journalist.
I would never have been able to have such a big goal if The Contributor had not assisted me at every turn to stabilize my life. Although it was the pandemic that finally destabilized me all the way down to “tent level,” I know that each circumstance is different. The main thing is, let’s not allow anyone to drop down into the pit of despair alone.
So I just want to thank each and every one of you customers, whether you buy from me or someone else. Your hearts are so big, and so full of love!