Homeless Man on the Train

When I was coming back from my mom’s place this weekend, I encountered a homeless man at the subway station. He came in with a cart—the kind people usually use as a walker—and had all his belongings with him. He made a bit of a fuss getting on the train because it was really crowded and there was practically no room, but he managed to get on.

Once he got on, he squeezed by me, and I let him go through. Then he started asking if anyone had any food or, especially, water to help him out. I was coming home from my mom’s, and I had two very full Tupperware bowls of delicious homemade food. I also had two drinks.

I asked him if he liked Spanish food, and he said, “Of course!” and that he’d take anything I’d be willing to give. So I gave him both meals and offered him one of the drinks. I kept the other one for myself because it was a special gift from my mom. He drank the drink right away and saved the food. He thanked me, and then we started chatting a bit.

He told me he used to be a landscaper and had his own business, but he got involved in some bad business practices and ended up locked up for 2.5 years. During that time, nobody paid for his storage unit, so all his landscaping equipment was auctioned off. He lost thousands and thousands of dollars’ worth of tools. When he got out, he couldn’t get back on his feet and has been homeless ever since.

His uncle, who had helped him start the landscaping business, hasn’t spoken to him since. He was very angry and disappointed in him. Getting locked up caused his uncle to lose a lot of business, and all of that led to where he is today.

I told him I understood and wished him well. For now, all I could do was help with some food and a drink. He said he never asks for money because there’s a stigma around it—he just wants what he needs, which is food and water.

It was an extremely hot day, and I was happy to help him out, even just a little. Some of us are fortunate in our living situation, but we’re only one bad decision or one unlucky moment away from ending up in a really bad place.

After spending a year and a half unemployed and nearly running out of all my savings, I walk with that knowledge. I always do my best to help those in need, when and how I can.