Digression-Majesty of the Sawtooths

So quick split from the stories of Corpus. It's been busy here and I haven't got around to writing down more of the "happenings" here at Corpus, mainly because we were preparing for our adventure into the Sawtooth Wilderness which happened this last weekend. Thought I'd put a few pictures up real quick. Look for more posts this week!

Ready to Rock

It has been my experience that many times we all come to doubt many things that we see and hear in our lives. Regrettably this may be because of the many scam emails and telemarketing that pass our ears and eyes each day, not to mention the ever present headlines that discuss fraud and hoaxes. And ultimately this doubt can affect how we interact and treat each person with whom we come into contact. Nevertheless, I learned today that there may still be reason to believe once more.

When I first saw him I was actually responding to a complaint about a rowdy client... and he was more than rowdy. With headphones the size of earmuffs, he was wildly swinging his head back and forth chanting the lyrics to his favorite rock tune. With shrieks louder than a kid who received his coveted wish list item on Christmas, he had successfully jolted everyone from their early morning state and was receiving glares from just about everyone in the room. As he began fervently air-drumming the drum solo, I touched him on the shoulder, smiled, and simply asked, "Hi, two things: what's your name and what in the world are you doing?" Slowly removing his headphones, he smiled and calmly responded, "Can't you see, I was born to rock!"

That was my first moment getting to know this man, but that is not the climax of the story. These past few days he has approached me and has let me know that he is still "rocking out" and what particular song is currently helping him do it. However, in addition to this information, he has started telling me his stories. It began with his stint as the studio drummer of the Doobie Brothers, followed by the story of how he took Steven Tyler of Aerosmtih to the hospital after he broke his leg on stage at a show in California, and finally capped off with the time he was involved in the Great White Fire (which happens to be the fourth most deadly nightclub fire in US history).

Why do I know that fact about the fire? Well after hearing these stories for the first time, I, having heard some of the greatest excuses for bus passes in the history of Boise, did not of course believe any of them. However, as he began to tell me exactly what Steven Tyler said to him as he bought this man a steak after returning from the hospital, and hearing which sound insulation panel caught fire first at the Great White concert, I couldn't help but wonder and do some research. Sure enough, this man's name showed up a few times and he since has produced the many personalized autographs and pictures with famous rockers (One of them reading, "Never forget the rock!" signed by Def Leppard.

So, the lesson here? Take a second look or listen at the hair-brained story you heard yesterday and it may just land a legitimate rock and roll drummer in your workplace. Ok maybe not. The real lesson here is another one of many that I try to remember each day here. It is my duty to treat each individual that comes through these doors with dignity and respect because each of these people have experiences and qualities that deserve such treatment. It doesn't have to be stories of rock and roll even, it could simply be about what they saw at the park yesterday - each story and each person has its worth. May I never forget...

Tennessee Bound: The Community that Remains

It has been said that there truly are no goodbyes when it comes to seeing someone off on their trip, and that's what I hoped as I watched one of our dear clients begin his journey to his native Tennessee. His belongings packed onto his bicycle and trailer, he was ready to make the trek across the country to reach his home, see his family, but most importantly to create more awareness about homelessness in our nation.

But I suppose it would be appropriate to tell you about him before he left. Undoubtedly, there are almost too many personalities to count here at Corpus Christi, but let us say that this man is on a new level entirely. From his brightly colored bike clothing to the Southern drawl that follows each word, everyone here knows and loves this man. At a mile a minute he speaks to each person here with energy and enthusiasm and he is always someone who likes a good joke (including the time when he tried to sneak through the entire place with his bike expecting no one to notice). There is also a rumor that he wrote an entire book about previous adventures, but unfortunately he lost it. Aside from his antics and more importantly people here not only know him, but they recognize him as one of the core people amongst the Boise homeless community (I think he has been here for nearly five years). To my knowledge he arrived here in Boise as a bull rider, and if you don't believe me you should see the picture of him atop a 800 pound bull on his MySpace page. Unfortunately, he became far too familiar with illegal substances and soon found himself in prison. However, since his release, he has been nothing but a light in many dark places for the rest of the clients here.

So with only a few weeks shared with him, I watched him make his final preparations and share his last few embraces with the people here. Most everyone came to the back of our building to see him off and that was when I saw the true face of Boise' homeless. They are just like any other group of human beings: they are a community that takes care and loves one another. There were tears, phone numbers and addresses exchanged, and many chuckles about the times they had shared. In fact, it was difficult to see any difference between that and my own goodbyes at the end of my recent undergrad years at Gonzaga. Just before mounting his bike, he pulled out a Navajo flute and accompanied his departure with a melody that sent shivers down my spine as I began to understand how much this community would miss him and how I too would miss him dearly. With a grin stretching from ear to ear, he rode away towards the unknown future with a simple sign attached to his trailer. Written was "Alaska to 10 AC [Tennessee]: With Faith and Donations" I hope that we can all share his faith in the fight against homelessness and in the endeavors we may face. Farewell my friend, may faith carry you always...