When a helping hand means more than enough

Shelter for Blythe is Susan Stoker’s take on the plight of the homeless. Here, she introduces us to Blythe Coopman, a homeless woman who lost everything caring for her mother, who eventually succumbed to cancer. 

We meet Sawyer “Squirrel” McClay, a firefighter, who falls for Blythe after encountering her in one of the fires that he helped put out. 

Sawyer and Blythe’s lives cross when, while lending Blythe his sweater, Sawyer inadvertently left his mobile phone in its pocket. Instead of going after Blythe, he saw the loss of his phone as a means to keep in touch with her, and that he proceeds to do as he tries to convince her to get off the streets. 

Circumstances force Blythe to accept Sawyer’s help when, one day, she was attacked in an alley. The rest, of course, you have to read to appreciate the story. 

I understand that some readers are put off by some stories shining a light on the plight of the homeless. Whatever their reason, that is theirs to keep, and I know I should let that be. 

But. 
“The homeless know they can always go to a shelter.”
“The homeless won’t do anything because they know they can always beg for food/help/money.”
“The homeless are lazy, entitled people who believe society owes them something and will not do anything to help themselves.”

Why even shine a light on their plight, right? And what’s up with Sawyer, taking one look at a homeless woman and knowing that she is the love of his life? Creepy much?

Yes, some of those who are homeless resort to a life of crime and drug addiction to make ends meet, and these are the ones we should be wary of. 

But. Let us face the fact that not all homeless people are out for handouts. Just because they live in the streets, it does not mean that all of them are lazy. Some of them may have experienced circumstances that prevented them from having a roof over their heads, or, worse, a home with loved ones they can turn to when needed. 

I have heard of a countless number of war heroes who go home thinking they have something to look forward to, someone to turn to when they needed them the most, only to end up in the streets because they have been abandoned by those who could not wait for them to come home. 

I have heard the story of a teacher who, even with his master’s degree, was forced to live in the streets when he fell ill and could not return to his profession. 

I have read the story of a child who had to use a street lamp so that he could study at night–yes, he is can go to a public school, but he lives on the streets with his Mom, who picks up discarded plastic bottles and barters them for food at recycling stations. His mom, I heard, was thrown out of their home, for giving birth to a child of rape. 

So yes, turn a blind eye to the homeless. But when it happens to you, or your loved ones, know that you, yourself, can make a difference in their lives, and I hope that you do.