I often find myself more captivated by the lives and inner thoughts of America’s homeless than by the polished lifestyles of the middle and upper classes.
While waiting for a bike repair in Paducah, KY, I had an unexpected encounter with a homeless man from Arkansas. He sat beside me with his dog, who wore a spiked pink collar, as we both waited for the repairman to fix the tire on his bike trailer, which he used to transport his companion.
Curious and genuinely interested, I asked him about his life. Without hesitation, he opened up, sharing how he had once worked grueling hours in a factory before deciding to leave that life behind. He recounted his journey from hopping trains and hitchhiking to biking across the country, embracing a nomadic lifestyle. He expressed a deep distrust of people and the government—a sentiment that had grown stronger as he became worn down by endless work and the pressures of society. Eventually, he chose to live freely, wandering from one city to the next.
He started in Arkansas, leaving behind his wife and children, spending summers in Kentucky and heading south to Florida to escape the harsh winters. For food and clothing, he relied on donations from the working class, content to take what he needed but admitting he had no interest in working. He did, however, express frustration that people weren’t always generous. Yet, it wasn’t hunger or hygiene that plagued him most—it was loneliness. Despite finding solace in his dog, he confessed that the absence of human connection left a deep void. What he missed most was having someone to talk to, to share life with.
I couldn’t help but feel there was more to his story than just weariness from the daily grind. When someone’s life veers toward extremes that seem counterproductive, it often signals deeper struggles. While his story was fascinating in itself, I found myself more interested in what lay at the core of his heart. What led him to leave his family behind? What experiences had shaped his worldview? What hardships had he faced, and what inner strength had he summoned to keep going?
Mainstream society often seeks to push the homeless out of sight, but I believe there’s so much we can learn from them. One of the greatest lessons is understanding the profound impact of the wounds we carry—the ones inflicted on us and the ones we inflict on others. These wounds run far deeper than we’re willing to admit. The solution to homelessness in America isn’t just found in government programs. The real answer lies in prevention, by addressing the root causes that drive people into this life to begin with.
**Images of the homeless were taken with permission.
Comments