This article reminded me of a childhood experience of mine. At some point when I was in high school my dad brought home a homeless man to live in our house. At first it seemed weird, but I understood that we were in a position to help so I got over the feeling that our family was different for helping someone from the street. Then it started to feel weird that this guy completely bunkered down in his room. The few times I was able to peer through his door, it totally looked like a horder’s nest. He kept all kinds of things that seemed of little value and layed on top of it all. And there was definitely a stink of body odor that wafted out whenever the door opened. Mostly he stayed in his room and watched TV day and night. Which made sense, he was on disability for back issues, so eventually I got over the weirdness that someone would choose to lock himself and in his room 24/7.

At some point though, after several years of this he seemed to really be getting better. He was always friendly, and he’d smile and say a few words if I saw him, but he seemed to be getting genuinely happier and psychologically better. The smell in the room started to subside, I think my folks had a talk with him about showering as terms of staying at one point, but it was still a steady increase. And he seemed to be getting out more and more, and I was more likely to see him outside than just in the hall.

I say all this, because it somehow feels pertinent in this forum. It’s also not something you hear a lot. There is a real healing that can often only be possible with long term stability. I often wonder how I’d cope if I was homeless, who I’d turn to. I’m not sure I have as many multi year options as I’d like. I also wonder if I’d be able to tolerate someone living in my house for as long as my folks did.