An Advent Calendar - 4. Door#4 - Christmas Fair

I'm not a huge poetry fan. Probably something about the way my mind works…

But I do strongly endorse the sentiment. There are probably as many reasons why someone is homeless as there are people who are homeless. (One guy I met while homeless was sent to the Rescue Mission by the Red Cross after an apartment fire.)

Lots of homeless people don't "look" homeless.

People had a hard time believing I was homeless because my clothes were always clean and in good condition – I had stuff in storage so I didn't have to carry all my worldly possessions with me everywhere I went. One of my homeless friends used to joke that everyone thought I was a college professor. I didn't have to wear second-hand clothing.

The US government considers a person to be homeless if they are couch-surfing, staying in a shelter, or living in their car. Homeless people don't all sleep in doorways or parks. And homeless people generally don't advertise their situation, so you might know someone who is homeless right now.

While winter is probably the most difficult time of the year to be homeless, homelessness does not disappear after the holidays and the need remains throughout the year. Please consider volunteering or donating to your local food bank, warm coat drive, and local social services agencies. Please remember that some religious charities are less charitable towards LGBTs than others. (Please do your research before donating.)

Alternatively, there is an LGBT-run charity, Rainbow World Fund, that focuses primarily on international issues, often in conjunction with local agencies. They work on things like providing clean water in Third World Countries, assisting LGBT refugees, earthquake and other disaster relief, and assisting orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Rather sweet and sentimental, hitting on a lot of traditional Christmas moments. But a most powerful ending, and hopefully the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks. Jeff

A very fitting entry to accompany the lighting of the second candle. Thanks for posting

I think Aditus wrote this poem I could almost smell all the things you (AdiColVal ) described. Nice Little poem. Good job, secret author

Such heart warming message. Heart touching ending. I liked the joy of Christmas in this as well as the struggle of those lives we mostly not see on our way. Whoever had wrote it(my guess was definitely Adi) I thank him/her for this beautiful piece. And I pray every human being in this world. No one deserves to be let alone.

~Emi.

What a beautiful poem. Especially the ending. And that's the true meaning of Christmas, right? Helping our fellow man (woman)?

This is one of the reasons I'm always a bit torn about Christmas. It's so focused on family. I try to include others, but I must admit I'm not very successful. When the holiday finally is upon us, I'm usually so bone-tired I more or less crash. Right now, there's just not enough of me to go around. Not physically at least. I donate money instead of time. Not ideal, but for now that will have to do. I try to be there for friends also, but they can sometimes act as if they feel like they are intruding. So many emotions tied to these few days in December...

Oh, and my guess is Adi too.

Great thoughts for this time of year .. this is my hope that this is a red herring they all want us all to think that Aditus wrote this wonderful poem but I'm going out on limb and this was written by Cole. Right or wrong it is a great poem.

Christmas is a difficult time of year for me. Even though I have a wonderful husband and family, there are things from the street I can't forget.
Sometimes I wonder if maybe I don't want to, or think that I shouldn't.
We can all help, in some way. Christmas is a busy time, but volunteering an hour at your food bank, or shelter will make you feel rich.
Lovely poem .. perfect sentiments.
tim xo

It's the true meaning of Christmas, Isn't it? There's nothing wrong with being thankful for what you have, but don't forget those less fortunate. What's it take to but some extra food when you shop and donate it? A great poem and a great message... Adi, for sure... cheers... Gary.... (but could be Val )

Now I feel really BAD because I ducked out of volunteering work today because I'd forgotten about it and made work commitments at the same time slot ...

I feel terrible right now ...

On 12/04/2016 07:09 PM, droughtquake said:

I'm not a huge poetry fan. Probably something about the way my mind works…

 

But I do strongly endorse the sentiment. There are probably as many reasons why someone is homeless as there are people who are homeless. (One guy I met while homeless was sent to the Rescue Mission by the Red Cross after an apartment fire.)

 

Lots of homeless people don't "look" homeless.

 

People had a hard time believing I was homeless because my clothes were always clean and in good condition – I had stuff in storage so I didn't have to carry all my worldly possessions with me everywhere I went. One of my homeless friends used to joke that everyone thought I was a college professor. I didn't have to wear second-hand clothing.

 

The US government considers a person to be homeless if they are couch-surfing, staying in a shelter, or living in their car. Homeless people don't all sleep in doorways or parks. And homeless people generally don't advertise their situation, so you might know someone who is homeless right now.

 

While winter is probably the most difficult time of the year to be homeless, homelessness does not disappear after the holidays and the need remains throughout the year. Please consider volunteering or donating to your local food bank, warm coat drive, and local social services agencies. Please remember that some religious charities are less charitable towards LGBTs than others. (Please do your research before donating.)

 

Alternatively, there is an LGBT-run charity, Rainbow World Fund, that focuses primarily on international issues, often in conjunction with local agencies. They work on things like providing clean water in Third World Countries, assisting LGBT refugees, earthquake and other disaster relief, and assisting orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS.

That's perfectly fine.

Thank you for the insight and the explanations. I wrote the poem after I visited the Christmas fair. I talked to homeless people, and they told me almost the same things you did. I hated how they were ignored.

On 12/04/2016 08:38 PM, JeffreyL said:

Rather sweet and sentimental, hitting on a lot of traditional Christmas moments. But a most powerful ending, and hopefully the true meaning of Christmas. Thanks. Jeff

Thank you, Jeff.

On 12/05/2016 02:58 AM, AC Benus said:

A very fitting entry to accompany the lighting of the second candle. Thanks for posting

Thank you, AC.

On 12/05/2016 03:06 AM, Slytherin said:

I think Aditus wrote this poem I could almost smell all the things you (AdiColVal ) described. Nice Little poem. Good job, secret author

And you thought right. Thank you, LBO.

On 12/05/2016 04:01 AM, Reader1810 said:

Well said in it's entirety.

This is Adi's work. I have no doubt.

Thank you, Reader. I'm glad. Yep. that's mine.

On 12/05/2016 04:03 AM, Emi GS said:

Such heart warming message. Heart touching ending. I liked the joy of Christmas in this as well as the struggle of those lives we mostly not see on our way. Whoever had wrote it(my guess was definitely Adi) I thank him/her for this beautiful piece. And I pray every human being in this world. No one deserves to be let alone.

 

~Emi.

Thank you, Emi! I'm glad you liked it. I feared it was too sappy, but sometimes... well.

Sadly, it's so easy to forget tat there are many people who live on the street. I now want to volunteer at my local food bank, especially since I've never done so before.

Thank you!

On 12/05/2016 05:59 AM, Lisa said:

What a beautiful poem. Especially the ending. And that's the true meaning of Christmas, right? Helping our fellow man (woman)?

Thank you, Lisa! Yes, the true meaning of Christmas. At least I hope so.

On 12/05/2016 07:04 AM, Puppilull said:

This is one of the reasons I'm always a bit torn about Christmas. It's so focused on family. I try to include others, but I must admit I'm not very successful. When the holiday finally is upon us, I'm usually so bone-tired I more or less crash. Right now, there's just not enough of me to go around. Not physically at least. I donate money instead of time. Not ideal, but for now that will have to do. I try to be there for friends also, but they can sometimes act as if they feel like they are intruding. So many emotions tied to these few days in December...

 

Oh, and my guess is Adi too.

I know what you mean, but every little thing counts. A brief talk to homeless people to show them they matter. Give a little something, money love, clothes for the refugees, it takes little times. Thank you, Puppi.

On 12/05/2016 07:38 AM, rickproehl said:

Great thoughts for this time of year .. this is my hope that this is a red herring they all want us all to think that Aditus wrote this wonderful poem but I'm going out on limb and this was written by Cole. Right or wrong it is a great poem.

Thank you, rickproehl! Well, it was me, no red herring. I'm glad you liked my poem.

On 12/05/2016 01:45 PM, Mikiesboy said:

Christmas is a difficult time of year for me. Even though I have a wonderful husband and family, there are things from the street I can't forget.

Sometimes I wonder if maybe I don't want to, or think that I shouldn't.

We can all help, in some way. Christmas is a busy time, but volunteering an hour at your food bank, or shelter will make you feel rich.

Lovely poem .. perfect sentiments.

tim xo

Thank you, tim! Everything counts to show people they matter and help them, not only with money.

On 12/06/2016 03:46 AM, Headstall said:

It's the true meaning of Christmas, Isn't it? There's nothing wrong with being thankful for what you have, but don't forget those less fortunate. What's it take to but some extra food when you shop and donate it? A great poem and a great message... Adi, for sure... cheers... Gary.... (but could be Val )

I'm so glad you all mention the true meaning of Christmas after reading my poem. It means so much to me. Thank you, Gary.

On 12/10/2016 09:16 PM, hohochan657 said:

Now I feel really BAD because I ducked out of volunteering work today because I'd forgotten about it and made work commitments at the same time slot ...

 

I feel terrible right now ...

*hug* No time like the present. Thank you, hohochan657!