As the brightly colored leaves begin to carpet the ground and our breath leads us down the street, it’s time to admit the holiday season is almost here. On a crisp morning following a day of rain, I talked with Street Sense vendors to find out why they are thankful for this year.
James Davis: “I’m thankful for my Street Sense customers who have made it a pleasure to sell the paper throughout the year.”
Lawrence Autry, III: “Really I’m thankful for so many things: waking up this morning, having a place to stay, and having good health. I’m happy it seems like a lot of people like me.”
Robert McCray: “I am thankful to be living, to wake up every day, and to have a roof over my head.”
Tommy Bennett: “I’m thankful for housing and for my seven years clean. I’m thankful for my friend Kristina who gives me strength to go on, and thankful for those people who have helped me along the way. I’m thankful for the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, and I hope everyone has a great holiday like I hope to have.”
Veda Simpson: “I thank the Lord for helping me be still and wait for the miracle. I am thankful for another day of living and for the opportunity to help other homeless people and animals. If I can help someone else, my life is not in vain.”
David Denny: “I’m thankful I’m alive. Thankful there’s a God because if there wasn’t I might not be alive. I’m thankful for the season of Thanksgiving. I’m glad I’m here, sober but sick, to celebrate Thanksgiving and eat turkey with loved ones. And even though it’s been challenging every day, I’m glad the addiction is under control. I’m happy to be alive.”
Franklin Sterling: “I’m thankful for Street Sense and for Mary Otto. And I’m grateful for our Olympic athletes who took over in Vancouver and gave us such inspiration; grateful for the NASA scientists for their role in saving the Chilean miners. I’m grateful for pilot Chelsey B. Sullenberger for not aggrandizing himself and for acting normal even though he’s a hero”
Evelyn Nnam: “I’m thankful to God for guiding me, and I thank God for this job. It’s helping bring money to me. I want to thank my God for what he has done.”
Jeffery McNeil: “I’m thankful for food on the table, a warm place to go, and family.”
