It just hit me

I get now, more so than ever before, that what I am feeling is absolute frustration.

I posted this today: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1076327

And a short time later my daughter came over and we went to the creek so she could play. Our first real outing (other than feeding the geese) this year.

I met a homeless couple living in a tent. Hidden from the main road.

Baby girl and I played for a while, wading, etc, and I stopped to talk to them before I left.

He is from El Salvador and was working at a local fast food Chinese food joint and lost his job. His family all lives in Southern CA. They have been living there at the creek for 3 weeks. I let him know that the company I work for (I am off right now on disability but going back soon) is hiring. He has no car, no bike, and little money to offer someone for gas.

The food they have is basic and in Kroger and UDF bags (both stores are close to the creek).

A good looking young couple who kept looking at me and baby girl as we walked and laughed - and I wondered if they had dreams of kids someday as well.

I wanted to do something. I still do.

I can't give them a place to stay. Won't have any money for a week or so at best (still fighting with the idiots at the insurance company). If I had a bike I would drive it down there and give it to them. None of my clothes would fit them (well, maybe the shirts would, and I can find some spare ones).

I feel frustrated. If the cops find out they are living there they will kick them out. I can't call anyone to help them out (I am thinking here of the 311 number the city has for people needing assistance/help which is usually busy anyway) because once it is found out they are living illegally they will be turned out with no where to go.

As with my post earlier I feel frustrated as well because I cannot help my X and her husband either right now (I have helped them sell some things and helped out when he was in the hospital, but that does not help today).

It hit me that I am really upset because I feel powerless to help those I want to help. It sucks.

They cannot even build a fire at night (and I have firewood I could take them) out of fear the cops will find them there. Over the years I have given rides to people broken down out in the middle of the high desert in CA, gave people change when I had it, helped folks find jobs, fixed computers for free (and met some really nice people that way), etc - but now...what can I do to help?

I would like to give them a ride somewhere - but I barely have enough right now for gas.

People think about being a hero. They daydream about being a navy seal and doing something heroic to save America from the evil forces over in the Middle East.

There are two couples I know right now, one living in a tent and one about to lose everything, who could use some heroes right now.

No training needed. No guns or multi-million dollar helicopters are needed either.

And I wish I could be that hero. That guy who could swoop in during the dead of night and save them.

And it hit me - no matter how much I wish I could be that hero I am in a bad spot myself and all I can offer them...well all I can offer is to tell them that someone out there has not forgotten them and that others do care.

:hug:

heart is touched and you want to help them, even if you don't have the means . :hug: That is what is important, if you didn't care you would have no soul. Edited to add, you are a hero to me.

I can't just sit here day after day knowing that couple and my X and her husband are suffering.

I'd hock my car if were worth more than a dollar.

They have hopes and dreams, as does my X. There has to be something I can do - I just don't know what yet.

I let the guy know my company is hiring for temp workers, but he has no way to get there. I would take him myself but cannot until I get this crap worked out with the insurance company and get back to work.

I just feel useless. And no matter how bad I may feel, he and his girlfriend (and my X and her husband), are the ones suffering.

What can I tell my daughter? That daddy met some homeless couple and that her mom and step-dad are losing their electric/etc and that I could not/did not do anything?

I want her to grow up and be empowered to do something, and here I sit unable to be a good example to her.

I dunno - just pissed off and feeling useless. I know the problems, I see them - but I can't do anything.

Sorry. Just needed to rant. Thanks for your kind reply.

you or live near you is blessed. I wish I was closer (I'm in the hell of Florida). Would a few bucks help if I did a PM and got some info? My fear for these poor souls not allowed to have a fire is animals and all that goes with it. You are such a dear person, I read all of your posts. No training needed is right. Playing it forward is key. Let me know if even a few bucks would help...

do what you can and try not to let guilt for things you have no control over get you down

the thought counts more than the size and I think you're a big person for what you feel.

Whatever you do, they'll understand.

Took them a blanket I don't need, some shirts, shorts, peanut butter, crackers, a few books, etc.

It won't fix all of their problems but maybe it will make their night a little better.

Tomorrow I will see what else I can dig up.

It still won't fix things. Would that I could win the lotto and give folks needing it a place to stay while they got on their feet.

Would that our govt would spend the money we pay them doing so instead of war.

Being a friend to them, even if you can't save them from the world, means much more than people realize. Just talking to them, being there to listen to them, giving a shoulder if they need it---these things matter too. Think about if you could help these two couples in some way, and there are hundreds of others out there just as deserving. Treating people with dignity, sharing small things that you can, kind words and a warm smile---these things are important and you can do this.

Don't feel bad because you cannot right all the wrongs in this world, or even in one person's world. Feel good about the little things you can do that make people feel good.

Drop off some leftovers.
Bring buy some clean shirts for interviews.
Maybe (if you can afford it) buy them a bus pass to get to interviews.
Bring them newspapers (and pens/paper maybe a map).
Find places (churches/YMCA) where they can get cleaned up for interviews.
There are resources out there they may not be aware of.

You've already given them friendship and hope. That's more than most give.

You sound like an angel