Josh
Yesterday, as I was walking back home, Josh, the young man who comes to the corner of my street in the evening with his dog, seemed distressed. Normally alone, today he was with another young man.
I brought food and a drink as I normally do with Josh. His thoughts aren't as clear anymore, but we still have a familiar bond.
As I approached him, his friend became quite hostile, to which Josh responded “it’s okay, this girl is fine”, which was quite interesting. For the first time I had to question my approach with him, almost as if I had forgotten that he isn’t just a familiar face. I was reminded that maybe it could be unsafe, or that I was coming in too strong and that I had to be more mindful, that just because I “know him” doesn’t mean that he feels anywhere near the same with me, hence “this girl”.
I saw he was upset and I asked him why, he told me he had lost some money.. I tried to consolidate him, told him that maybe it was in one of his pockets and that he might find it once he assembled all of his stuff. Although he seemed to think someone took it..
I told him I had all kinds of food for him and his friend to try and take his mind of it for as much as I could. I had muffins, cheese toasties, fruit salads and yoghurt with granola. To my great surprise, his friend just saw the yoghurt and made it very clear that he wanted it. He was so excited about yoghurt, it was something that I had never thought to hand out before.
Josh didn't cheer up, I felt helpless.
by Céline Mercier
I brought food and a drink as I normally do with Josh. His thoughts aren't as clear anymore, but we still have a familiar bond.
As I approached him, his friend became quite hostile, to which Josh responded “it’s okay, this girl is fine”, which was quite interesting. For the first time I had to question my approach with him, almost as if I had forgotten that he isn’t just a familiar face. I was reminded that maybe it could be unsafe, or that I was coming in too strong and that I had to be more mindful, that just because I “know him” doesn’t mean that he feels anywhere near the same with me, hence “this girl”.
I saw he was upset and I asked him why, he told me he had lost some money.. I tried to consolidate him, told him that maybe it was in one of his pockets and that he might find it once he assembled all of his stuff. Although he seemed to think someone took it..
I told him I had all kinds of food for him and his friend to try and take his mind of it for as much as I could. I had muffins, cheese toasties, fruit salads and yoghurt with granola. To my great surprise, his friend just saw the yoghurt and made it very clear that he wanted it. He was so excited about yoghurt, it was something that I had never thought to hand out before.
Josh didn't cheer up, I felt helpless.
by Céline Mercier
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