When I saw our assignment was "abandoned", I knew I'd be headed to the city. I immediately thought of the homeless people I see on my way downtown. Maybe because I'm from a small town, I am affected by these people. They haunt me. At times they make me feel conflicted.
Do I give them a couple of bucks or not? Am I safe sitting in the lane next to their corner?
But mostly I feel sorrow because I feel they have been abandoned. I'm talking about the ones who have substance abuse problems, mental illness, or tragic circumstances - not the con-artists. Abandoned because of their place or lack of place in society. Abandoned because they are no longer seen...no longer spoke to...no longer considered worthwhile.
I prayed while driving around that God would lead me to the person I was supposed to meet to put their face with this topic.
Then I saw Alonzo. I stopped my car and asked his name and after he told me, he asked, "Why, what'd I do now?" I told him, "nothing that I know of". I asked him if he felt abandoned and he replied "yes". I asked if I could take his picture and if I could pray for him. He said yes to both. He told me I was a blessing. I told him that he was a blessing and I would be praying for him.
Afterwards, I was so happy with this shot. Happy there was no cardboard sign in front of him. Happy that he seemed happy to have his picture taken. Happy that maybe he didn't feel so abandoned today.
Thank you for this challenging topic and thank you for reading my take on it.
By the way, I drove to a busy street in downtown Atlanta, with people out on their lunch hour and lots of activity around. I stopped where I felt safe. Please don't think I put myself in harms way. Also, please note that this is not a political statement.
you know what - I think it's beautiful and it's powerful. I know you were a blessing to Alonzo. This touched my heart deeply.
ReplyDelete*tears still in my eyes from reading this*
ReplyDeleteYou are a true blessing indeed. Stopping to pray for someone like this takes a lot of courage. Just think what you did for him...making his day a little brighter, letting him know that someone cares about him. The Alonzo's are real people just like us. Thank you for what you did!
Thank you, Char and Cora! I was following my instinct on this one and was just so inspired by the topic/theme.
ReplyDeleteOh this is a touching story. It's nice you stopped and made him feel less alone and show that some people do care even if we can only do very little.
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely photo I wonder if you could printer out in the hope of seeing him again and giving it to him as a gift.
Beautiful portrait - thanks for giving Alonzo a voice...
ReplyDeleteI have had the same dilema myself, when I holidays at a beach town some time back. There was a homesless man asking for money every morning, I was hesitant to give him money. I thought he would spend it on booze or cigarettes or drugs. As we drove away from the bakery one morning on our way home, I thought I could have fed him. I should have bought him food, I had missed the opportunity and I know next time I will give that homeless person whoever he or she is something for their stomachs. There but for the grace of God go I.
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Very strong message here, beautiful photo. you can just see that there is alot to Alonzo, I am sure you made him feel special, I will pray too.
ReplyDeleteWOW! You took this to a whole new level. Thank you! Thank you for letting Alonzo feel like a person for a few moments. Thank you for giving a face to a huge problem that we tackle. Thank you for your prayers and caring. I will say some prayers too.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind comments and for adding Alonzo to your prayers, Caroline and Cinner.
ReplyDeleteWow...if we are giving awards, you win! Amazing post.
ReplyDeleteSome depth to the day - abandoned interpreted through the lens eye. A beautiful shot and tale to go with it. Nice, friend, nice...
ReplyDeleteVery moving and very powerful.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot and great story. This is one to remember!
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This is above and beyond in so many ways....Thank you dear Traci for offering this post to us ...It is the most powerful I've seen and read...
ReplyDeleteI don't think Alonzo is alone in his feeling of abandonment. I think all homeless people feel abandoned by society. Thank you for making us remember.
ReplyDeleteThis was great to read...I feel like my post was SO self centered...you reached out and gave a little...it probablt made his day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
this is a statement of the size of your heart and we are blessed that you shared this with us.....so blessed !
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful picture and amazing words!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful picture.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you spoke to him and asked him about his feelings. Asking to take his photo would mean so much to a person who is so often quite likely "not seen" by many passersby.
Very moving. A beautiful portrait.
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