homelessness.

As I drove to dinner this evening, I began to notice...

One...

Two...

Three, four...

Five...

Six...

And the numbers kept going. 

So many people. 

Sleeping on benches. 

Holding up signs. 

Walking the streets, slowly. No destination in mind. 

And I don't know if it's because these times have more people lost, hopeless, turning to soup kitchens and shelters

Or if my eyes are just opening.

But everywhere I turn, I see hungry people. 

Tired people. 

Thirsty people. 

People with addictions.

Mental illness.

People who are lost. 

And it hit me today, as I was driving, watching.

Just how many homes I have. 

And how so many people don't even have one. 

How I've always had a bed. 

At mom and dad's. 

Away at school.

At my in-laws.

At my grandparents.

I've never once had to worry about a place to lay my head. 

And even though these people have addictions

Illnesses

Demons

Struggles

That I can't understand

I can understand this: 

When I'm tired

Too hot or too cold

Lost

Frustrated

I get to go home. 

And these people can't. 

That's hard to swallow. 

So I do what I can

Some change

A sandwich

A bottle of water. 

But what I think 

Might mean the most

Is a look in the eyes

A smile

A nod

Acknowledging that we all just want to go home.