On one of my working days, I was selling my Speak Up magazines. What I saw on that day was tragic.

I saw a homeless guy eating out of the garbage can! I had to stop and really look. I said to myself, am I really seeing this? I’ve heard about people eating out of the trash, but to actually see it was so sad. When he was looking in the trash can, I thought to myself that this guy is really hungry. Before I could say anything to him, he found some food and was sitting down eating. When he found it, he was smiling like he was so happy to have found the food. It was some salad/half sandwich, and he sat down and was eating like he had not eaten in awhile.

I sold a magazine, and when I looked up, he was gone. I said to myself, “I wish I could catch him.” I could have maybe given him a job with Speak Up, but he had left. I’ve been homeless, but I’ve never lost my dignity like that.

One day, I hope to see him again. I will not forget him, because of how he was dressed. He had on a lot of clothes: layers and layers. It was a warm day but he had on two coats, two pants, a hat, and boots. They were really dirty, and you could tell he was homeless—looked like he had not taken a bath in a while; but that’s okay. God will be with him, and I pray for him that he will be blessed.