Christmas Under the Overpass

Yes, Christmas came even to the homeless who live in large part under the freeway. For many Christmas is a time of loneliness, with bitter sweet memories. But tonight was different for the 185 guests who were served a meal prepared by a professional chef and donated by a UGM family. The menu of pork loin roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and various kinds of pie, were just the beginning of the evening.Thanks to a Union Gospel family’s generosity and a group of about 40 people, mostly teenagers and men from the UGM to serve them, tonight was special. Not only did thehomeless have a warm place to eat, be served a truly great meal, but there were bingo games with practical prizes like all-day bus passes and warm coats. Each one who came was given a gift bag of new socks, toiletries and candy. As one who was able just to observe, my heart was touched to see how much the homeless got into playing bingo and just spending time in warm place and enjoy beingwaited on by the young people.. During the clean up time at the conclusion of theevening, the young people were laughing, playing a little bit of basketball and just havingfun. One of the men from the mission, caused tears to well up in my eyes, when he said: “I wish I hadn’t missed the innocence of youth, as I was abused in those years.”As we left a haunting picture remains in my eyes that of a woman sitting alone on thecold dark steps of the church. Where was the innocence of her youth? Where would she be on Christmas day? Who would be there to wish her a Merry Christmas?