We see the homeless way to often in our region.  Usually when we see them we just pass on by, thinking they just want money for drugs or alcohol and that they must be lazy or something.  I'll admit, sometimes I think the same thing. 

On a recent drive, on a busy interection, I saw a lady who was probably in her late 40s standing on the edge of the road with a sign which read "HUNGRY FAMILY, WILL WORK FOR FOOD OR MONEY!"  Now I know we see this all the time, especially this time of year, around the holidays.  What really got me was this time it was a woman outside holding the sign but the worst part was, the look she had on her face.  It was the saddest look I think I had ever seen!  As if her entire world had crashed around her.  I'll never forget that look as long as I live.    

During this time, I was in a long line of traffic at a red light.  They're must have been about 20 cars ahead of me and one by one each car passed her by like she was nothing, less than garbage in the street.  They may have looked at her, perhaps judged her and kept going.  I for one couldn't keep going.  So I stopped traffic, rolled down my window and handed her some money and wished her well and she was great-full that someone stopped.  After I rolled up my window and went on my way, I got teary eyed!  Now it takes a lot for me to cry.  Mostly because since I'm in the news biz. and I see these kind of stories all the time.  You become numb to a certain degree.  But this woman who had nothing hit a nerve with me.  Most likely I think because she was my moms age (sorry mom for giving your age, ha-ha) and I couldn't imagine my mom being homeless!

With the economy the way its been the last couple of years putting millions of people out of a job, homelessness has become an even bigger issue, not only around here but across the entire nation! 

Think about it, do the times we live in have less value?

I know there's government assistance, but there's loop holes and some folks can't get it.  With this sad lady, I wonder how can this happen, where are these cracks that she fell through.

My mom once told me that some of these homeless people could be angels.  Testing us to see who's giving.  It's an interesting concept, I think!

The times we live in must have value, we can't all turn away, because that woman who had nothing might be me or you some day...