learning to float

i went into school at 12:00, and around 2:30ish we headed to the homeless shelter to give out free haircuts. let's just say, it was a growing experience.

my first client sat in my chair, and told me to give him a "jack mormon" or a "jack joseph smith" hair cut. his name being jack, i actually found it quite clever. but what he really wanted was a missionary cut. he had been a hippie his whole life, with locks of hair drifting past his bum. his last hair cut was to his shoulders, and he decided that it was time to clean his act up. his upcoming court date probably was a good motivation, but i saw something else behind his tired blue eyes. he wanted to impress the judge by cleaning himself up, he had been to jail once already, and he was at the end of his rope. he was arrested for possession with intent of distributing, and he actually seemed truly sorry. as he told me about his life, i could tell his kids were the coal operation his engine. all of them were addicts, to whatever drugs they could get their hands on. some in jail, most on the street, looking for the next pick me up. some he hadn't seen sober or drug free in years. and he held himself 100% responsible. which i agreed with. he had gave his kids ammunition to use for whatever they liked, and made himself a ticking time bomb.

before he left my chair he told me his dream. to own his own rehabilitation center. he wants to go to utah state, figure out what all he has to do, open his own place up, and save everyone he can.

my best of luck to you.

client after client i realized how blessed i am. i can call my parents whenever i need them, and even when i don't. i have shoes, lots of them in fact. i have at least five different coats. i have clean underwear to wear everyday (believe it or not). i have family who lives 20 minutes away, who would be with me in a heartbeat if i was ever in trouble. i'm getting an education. i have toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, deodorant, and band aides if i ever get a paper cut. i have a bed, i have a cellphone, i have God, and i have countless number of friends.

and that's just the beginning of it.

could you imagine living with none of that. no home to run back to when it all falls apart. no safe haven.

completely and utterly alone.

it's days like this when i realize how much i take my life for granted.