Visitors from Philly

The Spirit was active in the park today, revealing itself in many ways.  Soon after arriving, I met a young man from Philly who was looking for jumper cables. He told me he has a 5 year old son. He and his girlfriend enlisted the help of a sibling to watch him so they could get away for the night.  They chose Baltimore.

Looking at him was like  seeing the opposite of myself. Talking with him was like seeing me years ago. He has to be in his 20's; I'll be 50 this year. He is black and I am white. He has tattoos all over his neck, I have fair skin, more pale than average. He has dark eyes, mine are green.  He was wearing all black (I usually am too) but today I had on a white.

Not having jumper cables myself, I told him I would ask others in the park.  He shortly came to find me.  My friend with cables was praying with someone, so we waited.  The man was surprised at the number of homeless in Baltimore, commenting there are a lot in Philly but not congregated like this.  He had noticed the tents, row after row, lining the side of Fallsway, just at the end of the Jones Falls expressway.  He seemed intrigued by the congregation of people and the mix of people in the Park today.   Some live there, some in nearby shelters and others used to live there and since found homes.  They come back weekly to visit or encourage friends they made in the past.

After starting his car, he asked if I had a card and walked two blocks back with me to my car.  He put it in his pocket, gave me a hug and said he would very much like to come back; to Baltimore and to the Park.  Next time he would bring both his girlfriend and their son.

I hope he does.