If I Were Homeless

I’ve thought of this often.

If I were homeless I would stay in Southern California or, depending on where I was starting off homeless, I would make my way there. It can be rainy but often is not so this makes it a pleasant place to be. No snow, not much rain, mostly sunny or over cast.

If I were homeless I would build myself a relatively leak-free roof for my box house, which could be folded up and carried easily. It would consist of cardboard box, duct tape and gathered aluminum cans which I’d cut and make a somewhat single-like roof.

I would likely find a new freeway on or off-ramp to reside under at night time.

If I were homeless I’d start myself in Long Beach, California so that I could scour the alley ways for things like old lawn chair padding or an old air mattress with a whole or two that I could patch up. A large backpack and old clothes to stuff in it; a single sleeping bag would be a “find” and would do for years to come. I would search for a stroller because those would be the easiest to find in an alley way in long beach…or as one of the smartest homeless men I’ve seen had with him…I’d find myself a bike and one of those toddler houses that trail behind one and I’d load my bedding in there while carrying my clothes on my back.

I would find me a big stray dog to wake me when someone unfamiliar or unwelcomed was near.

From time to time I’d save 5 dollars and I’d do my laundry, but only when I was unbearably stinky and needed to do something about it for my own sanity. I’d also take a trip to a new place from time to time in the summer.

I would drink frequently from park and beach water fountains, and I’d swing in parks (at night so as not to frighten the kids or their parents) to amuse myself……..I’d try to think of ways to make life better.

But then I suppose that the one thing that separates me from the homeless guy is that I think about this frequently. I don’t suppose that many people (except for the rare exception who actually choose to be homeless as a lifestyle) thought that the would be without a home. I guess they sort of lose control. Of their finances, of their mind, or imagination, or their desire to live.
But I do think about it a lot.

I see a homeless person I imagine what I’d do if I were them. And actually, I wonder if they’d ever done the same.

Have you?