At first being homeless was one of the scariest situations I had ever dealt with. Where to go, where do I eat, where do I sleep? Full of terrifying questions. These where my my first thoughts. Where do I go now that I am homeless?
After awhile, I figured it out. I got used to it. I met people and learned how to survive.
Sometimes I even prefer being on the streets. I come and go as I please. I wake up when I want, the same choice I make when I go to sleep. Maybe you have a nagging boss? I don’t. Did you remember to pay the light bill? I have candles. Life is easier with less stuff and fewer rules.
Okay, not everything is better about my life. I don’t have a home or TV or fridge or air conditioner or heat. I don’t have safety. Just my tent and blankets.
And my guitar.
I was walking down the street a couple years ago when I ran into a friend who changed my life. He taught me a new way of living that continues today: busking.
Busking means I am a street musician playing for tips. At first I was nervous, then that quickly changed into a passion. A passion for freedom, expression, the freedom to share my talent. A talent that I am thankful for.
Wherever there’s a sidewalk you just might find me. So if you got an extra minute you might just want to stop and take a listen. Because it may change your life, like it changed mine.
My dream is to let my music be heard when I’m gone. Not to be a celebrity legend but just to be remembered. My music the book of my life lessons, my experiences both good and bad.
Right now I’m fighting homelessness and losing the battle. I’m fighting addiction and and losing the battle. It has been like that for a couple years. But in the future I want to be remembered for my music, not for my struggles and mistakes.
A year after writing this essay, Mike died on the streets of Charlotte.
