Her name is Gail...

[casil403]

...and you might remember her from last month's photo. I saw her yesterday and again this morning. This morning on the way to school I stopped her, introduced myself to her, gave her a few bucks for a coffee and asked if I saw her next time could I come and visit with her perhaps?
She was surprised I stopped her and said her name was Gail and that would be fine. She seemed so small...in the photo it looks like the city is almost swallowing her.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2707/4263664587_44995fcb47_o.jpg

[zenon5940]

Good going Casil! and a very nice shot of a sad situation. Congrats to you and your BIG heart.

[casil403]

Thanks Z....there's something about her that seem to touch my heart for some reason...I saw her last week also when on my way to catch the bus. Each time I see her something twinges in me....I don't know why. :shrug:

[tomorrowstreasures]

tissue, please. lovely story ....

[Mad Aussie]

Very cool Casil .... very cool.

[Bambi]

:highfive: well done Casil on both counts. When I buy a coffee there's always someone outside the shop. they are the same people but at different times (I guess that they take shifts). I always try to give them my change (or more) as I figure that if I can afford a coffee I can also provide funds towards a sandwich.

[casil403]

Thanks...I'm glad you like. :)

[Kawarthabob]

It's a shame that people live like that in this part of the planet. Most are homeless due to mental problems. My ex used to work in the financial district in downtown Toronto. I used to see this old man ( who resembles santa!)everyday at the corner of queen and bay streets just sitting in a wheelchair staring at the ground with cup in hand. countless people ( myself included) would put spare change into his cup as they walked by. One day My ex was working late in the office and as we walked to the subway we came upon this old man around 7:30pm ( well after the financial district shuts down). We observed a limo pull up just a few feet away and the old man promptly jumped up out of his wheelchair and put it into the trunk of the limo and got in and drove away. I later learned that some people have a certain "disorder" that compells them to live like paupers when in fact they are wealthy beyond our means. I have also noticed $150.00 -$200.00 dollar running shoes on people who "beg" on our streets. I bet you the next time someone asks you for spare change ask them if you can buy them a sandwich or coffee instead and you'd be surprised at their reply.

[casil403]

I agree, there are lots of unkind people who misrepresent themselves this world to cheat and swindle people out of all kinds of things including money...you hear about it in the news often. It's a crappy feeling when you realized you have been taken in for a sucker. I always think that Karma is a biotch for people like that and eventually it will catch up with them. I shouldn't be faulted for doing a good deed and good on me for doing so. :)
However, just to be clear, this particular person has never once asked me for change...every time I have seen her, she is alone and sleeping by herself and not asking for money. It's me who always offers it to her. :)

[Greg_Nuspel]

If I'm asked for money for a coffee I offer buy them a coffee, same with money to eat. Only once has someone taken me up on the offer, bought him a full meal. Watched one young guy try to sell the transit ticket I bought him "to get home."

[Foots]

Great shot Casil. Yes, she does look dwarfed by all the buildings. Homeless in Calgary must be unspeakably difficult.

[Hillbillygirl]

Excellent shot Casil. Really shows the despairity in some peoples lives. Makes you reflect on your own.

[casil403]

Thanks... :)

[casil403]

I saw Gail last week...sitting under the steel trees in the cold, damp ice fog....alone and no stroller. I went over to her and sat with her and asked her where her stroller was...she said somebody stole it. So she had nothing to keep her warm at night except the clothes she had on her back. I told her I had some spare blankets and pillows I could bring them to her. She thanked me and declined saying that it would be difficult to carry them around not having a stroller or anything portable and she didn't want to get into trouble if she were to use a shopping cart. She said she would go to the clothing bank and get some blankets there.
Yesterday I saw her briefly and she at least had a basket to carry her stuff around. I couldn't talk to her for very long as I was trying to make the bus for an appointment.
She looks tired and so sad...funny how I've been so wrapped up in my things in life then I look at her just trying to make it though another cold winter day in just her coat and her black crocs with holes in them....makes my stuff seem kinda silly sometimes.

[Iguanasan]

:sad::sad:

[Mad Aussie]

Suddenly I want the snow to go away