As soon as I got home from the VISTA meeting in Findlay on Monday, I dropped off my stuff, jumped in my car and drove across town to a gorgeous, huge, old stone church, where 1Matters.org, the local group that puts on Tent City, was leading a memorial service to recognize all those who had died homeless or otherwise unseen by society as a whole.
Candles were lit as friends read the names of those who had died, whether from cold, illness, overdose, homicide, suicide, etc., many perhaps noted in passing by the general public (if at all) only for the way they died and then quickly forgotten again.
Also honored was an older local woman who recently died. She was the founder and director of St. Paul's Community Center and spent her life working with unhoused and destitute men.
National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day was started in 1990 by the National Coalition for the Homeless. It is held on each year on Dec 21, the first day of winter, the longest night of the year. Last year, 120 cities held events to honor the more than 3,200 people who died unhoused during the year.
Hey Sarah! Thanks again for coming to my going away party. And thank you for the 'live boldly' framed collage, it is a fitting reminder of how I'd like to be in my day to day. It was really great to see all of you. I miss chatting :) Glad to see you are continuing on with 1matters. They are a really amazing group. Hope all things VISTA are going well. Oh, I believe you meant that Dec 21st is shortest period of sunlight and longest hours of night of the year. Unless it in fact has more hours than other days ;)Also I think I am going to start a blog about my transition to Santa Fe, maybe like an outsiders perspective of the city and its places, especially food :) I'll let you know if/when I do! Take care dear. Brie
ReplyDeletethat IS what i meant, brie, thanks! i changed it...
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