" I haven't had a conversation in a week".

With our chins both resting on folded arms atop the counter in the rv, we spoke in a settled manner. Frequently he would erupt in a dry,croaky, repetitive laugh that would carry on for a few moments before returning to a similar tone.

Intriguing, heartbreaking, resourceful, fascinating, absolutely endearing...

 I struggled to comprehend as he shared his life. The more I heard, the difficulty heightened to be okay with his reality, no matter how sure of it he was. 

An all to common life of hardship and trials from the get go, abandoned in many ways, mistreated, and familiar with harm upon his identity consistently. With a tent for a home currently under the bridge, faithful dog for a companion, he opted to go it alone and live as a nomad, aimless, and nameless...

Safer to be alone, away from all the "junkies and drunks"...

With a genuine smile full of blackened teeth, he spoke  about the steaks he scored from a day of panning, he delighted in explaining how he cooked them himself on the small camp stove by his home. 

Such a sweetheart.

A strange serenity played across his face as something seemed to dawn on him. 

" I never talk, no one talks to me, I don't think I have had a conversation in a week, this feels good to just talk and have a good conversation." 

No person should live so isolated.

No person should live so disconnected from love and care.

No person should live with the knowledge that no one is concerned for your well being. 

No person should live without being in relationship.

The wrestle of these injustices and angers, filled me with reluctance to let him go back to his normal, that he seemed so okay with.

Please pray for this dear one.

May the touch of Jesus Christ be felt in his frailty... May his comforting presence be experienced in profound ways... May relationship with the father draw him close to him and others....May the truth of his precious, treasured life be made known to him... Amen.