There's a mentally ill man who walks the streets of Arcata and Mckinleyville daily. If you are close to the Valley west area of Arcata in the mornings, or anywhere in McKinleyville in the afternoons, you probably have seen him. All he does is walk .... and talk to himself. I saw him today - he looked cold. He always seems to have clean clothes on and newish shoes - I don't know if he is homeless or not. He always seems somewhat clean. But he's walking, and talking.... and this morning he was shivering. I said a little prayer for him today.
My guard is always up when he comes around the church - he comes in at least once every other day, and on the days he doesn't come in, he passes by and looks in the windows. I'll admit, I'm a little fearful. I don't know what this man's mental illness is - and it is plain to see when you meet him that he is having to deal with something. He hasn't ever shown me any violence, but I have seen him yell at others. So, I keep my guard up. Sometimes I am at the church when it is late - 5pm or later - due to something my children are doing (karate or scouts). I'm protective.... if it's jut myself and my children there, I will make sure the door is locked if I see him down the street, or if he comes in when I don't notice, I tell him the church is closed. He almost always calmly leaves. I often feel bad, but since I don't know this man, I am putting my gut feelings, and possibly my judgements, over compassion as I am in protective mode.
But... today I said a prayer for him. I said a prayer for all mentally ill... for those who have the courage to work with the mentally ill... for all those, like myself, who sometimes turn their heads on the mentally ill. I said a prayer today, for compassion, for love, for understanding.
