Once More, the Holidays

Once again, we enter the holiday season, and it is a time of good cheer, or so it is supposed to be, at least. For the homeless, it is rather difficult to be very cheery at a time of year in which home and family are so important when all too often both home and family are sorely missing from their lives. The holidays can be lonely times for many persons, not just the homeless, who lack family units with whom they can spend the holidays. It is a sad reality, but it is a reality none the less.

However, on a brighter note, the spirit of giving and charity is definitely present at this time of year as many persons and groups make a concerted effort to reach out to those persons less fortunate than themselves. As I went on record saying in the past, the number of free meals made available on Thanksgiving to the homeless in the District are so numerous that no homeless person need go hungry on Thanksgiving Day; instead, subscribing to Weight Watchers might be necessary from the abundance of good food that is available. The same charitable spirit continues throughout the Christmas season as well.

Is all the charity a substitute for having a home? No. There should not be any confusion about that. The homeless remain homeless and in need even with all the charitable deeds done on their behalf, and that remains a cold, hard fact. Yet it would be wrong to ignore the wonderful efforts made by so many organizations and individuals to make the holiday season special for people who might otherwise be overlooked or forgotten.

I know that it is not easy for me to enter into the season knowing that it is my fourth since becoming homeless, and that brings a certain gloom into the air for me. I am only reminded of the years past and wonder how much longer it will be before I see a change in my situation. I know that I am not the only one who has these feelings; many others I know have similar feelings. It certainly helps to receive the charitable attention that comes our way at this time of year, but it does not relieve completely the gloomy feelings that come with knowing that yet another year has gone by with no progress toward recovery.

There is no question that I, like the others, appreciate the efforts made to make the holiday season a happy time. It is very reassuring to know that there are still people who care enough to go out of their way to help others. It almost seems wrong to show any feelings of sadness when these people are doing their utmost to bring cheer to a deprived population. It is only when this good will reaches legislative levels that the homeless will feel any long-term reason for rejoicing. It can be achieved; the signs of hope are out there. When that day comes, then the cheer will not be confined to the holidays alone; it will be for all time.So it is with mixed emotions that we enter the holiday season, wishing and wanting that the holiday cheer will last beyond the holiday season but realizing that it might just be for the short term and nothing more. We are grateful for the help so generously bestowed upon us and can only be thankful that people do indeed care; we only wish that people higher up cared as much and would continue the efforts so that homelessness would vanish from our midst. It isn’t an unrealistic request; it can be done. It’s just a matter of doing it.