This morning in the park next to the building where I work two homeless people died. They were found frozen to death next to the Jordan River.
We work in an area where so many bad things have happened. We see things everyday that most people should not see. Homeless people live here in a camp close to the river. The police are here throughout the day, every day. And not just for trouble with homeless people.
Today we knew there was something, once again, going on. There were fire trucks, a paramedic truck, dozens police officers and three TV station trucks plus the Medical Examiner. When the Medical Examiner pulled up, we knew it was not going to end well.
The story first appeared on KSL TV’s website. You can leave comments about any story the station broadcasts, which I know is normal for all news agencies. The heartbreaking thing about this is what the first people to make comments on this story said. Many of these comments were cruel and totally uncalled for. I don’t understand people. How can they be so callus and uncaring. The people, who died today, never intended to become homeless. Some tragedy happened in their lives to force them to assume this life.
Where is the compassion that people should have? Where is the understanding and caring? Even though these people are homeless does not mean they don’t have families somewhere. Families who may read what has been written on KSL. And the homeless are also children of God, just like the rest of us, and should be treated with respect at the time of their deaths
My own brother was a drug addict and a homeless person for part of his life. He roamed the US looking for something that was missing in his life. This was a choice he had made. The only one he could have made to try and deal with the cruelties of his world. He died, just as these two have died. After a long hard and painful life. Fortunately, Mark died inside a building. Not in his home but not next to the river, during a snowstorm either.
It was heartening to see that now, a few hours later, more people are showing that they are human. Leaving comments to the family, expressing sympathy. God bless you and all those who have compassion and empathy for those less fortunate than you.
We work in an area where so many bad things have happened. We see things everyday that most people should not see. Homeless people live here in a camp close to the river. The police are here throughout the day, every day. And not just for trouble with homeless people.
Today we knew there was something, once again, going on. There were fire trucks, a paramedic truck, dozens police officers and three TV station trucks plus the Medical Examiner. When the Medical Examiner pulled up, we knew it was not going to end well.
The story first appeared on KSL TV’s website. You can leave comments about any story the station broadcasts, which I know is normal for all news agencies. The heartbreaking thing about this is what the first people to make comments on this story said. Many of these comments were cruel and totally uncalled for. I don’t understand people. How can they be so callus and uncaring. The people, who died today, never intended to become homeless. Some tragedy happened in their lives to force them to assume this life.
Where is the compassion that people should have? Where is the understanding and caring? Even though these people are homeless does not mean they don’t have families somewhere. Families who may read what has been written on KSL. And the homeless are also children of God, just like the rest of us, and should be treated with respect at the time of their deaths
My own brother was a drug addict and a homeless person for part of his life. He roamed the US looking for something that was missing in his life. This was a choice he had made. The only one he could have made to try and deal with the cruelties of his world. He died, just as these two have died. After a long hard and painful life. Fortunately, Mark died inside a building. Not in his home but not next to the river, during a snowstorm either.
It was heartening to see that now, a few hours later, more people are showing that they are human. Leaving comments to the family, expressing sympathy. God bless you and all those who have compassion and empathy for those less fortunate than you.
