Who'll stop the rain?

We've had rain for the past couple of days, turning our warm and humid weather chilly and nasty. People came to the meal yesterday hiding under umbrellas and the bright yellow ponchos we gave out at Benny's last month. One man showed up in a gorilla suit (I am going to assume he had to wear it for work, but he insisted on wearing the mask long after he punched out). As I was sitting in my warm, comfortable room last night I was thinking about what it must be like to be outside in the rain all night. We've all been stuck out in the rain at one time or another, but I've never had to be outside in awful weather for too long. The thought of rain dripping down my face continuously while I try to sleep is just awful, and to be laying in wet clothes that I've been wearing for a few days; well that would not exactly be a restful night. It is those types of practical thoughts that have never occurred to me before, since they have been so outside of my experience. There are so many other considerations when it comes to being homeless, like where do I go to the bathroom when all the public restrooms around me are closed? What do I do all day without a job or home to go to? Where do I go when it rains or snows, and all the shelters are full? I have been told that many of our guests will commit crimes big enough to earn them some jail time (at least it's indoors!) but small enough so no one has to be hurt or that would cause them major time. Then, once they get out of jail it is even more difficult to find jobs and housing, and thus the cycle is perpetuated. I don't have any suggestions for solutions-I don't know that there are any.

It's been a pretty fast and busy week, and I'm really looking forward to escaping to DC for the weekend to spend some quality time with my brothers. Steve and I are seeing the Tragically Hip tomorrow night and hanging out with Andy on Saturday, then it will be back to Philly for me! So it will be a whirlwind trip (story of my life) but a much-needed break.