I read a local news story online this morning that gave me pause.
In my current job, I work from home some days, at my employer’s headquarters on other days. On those days I go to HQ, I often take a quick trip to sit in a nearby parking lot to eat my lunch. Sometimes a read, other days I listen to the radio. It’s a nice break from the 11/10th’s go-go pace of work, and it helps clear my head.
Said parking lot is in front of a large retail store that closed a couple of years ago when the parent company left Michigan. In front of that store, near the boarded-up front door, is a bench, where often I would see what appeared to be a homeless man, with his small stack of accumulated stuff. During the winter months, I would often wonder about his well-being, as Michigan winters can get quite cold and nasty.
A couple of months ago, while eating my lunch in my warm car, a woman walked toward my car. She asked if I could loan her a dollar, as she was short of the bus fare she needed to get home. I had only a 5, so I gave her that and told her to get into the bus stop, which would afford her some shelter. I thought of the homeless guy and looked to his bench. He was not there that day.
Two days ago, I lunched at my usual spot. The homeless guy was not there. But a number of cars pulled up, in front of his bench, and the drivers and passengers got out, and stood near the bench, reading something that had been stuck to the wall. In a hurry to get back to work, I didn't stop to see what they were reading.
This morning, I was reading the local news online and learned that Mr. William Douglas Aulph, had passed away from hypothermia. He had been born deaf, and was, it seems, mentally ill. I had never learned his name, never stopped to give him a hot cup of coffee, or a spare coat or blanket. Others had. He told stories to kids, and always had a smile for those who wished him well.
Rest in peace, Mr. Aulph.
