Cassie and Kidder
The first time I saw Cassie, she was standing on the median with a small “donations needed” sign right before I turned onto the freeway. She was petite, fragile, and too bent over for someone her age. Her glasses were broken.
That was two years ago. Her bright smile and twinkling eyes caught my attention. To give or not to give money to the homeless on the street can be a conundrum for some. Will the money go to drugs or alcohol? I chose to not judge and gave Cassie a dollar. Her gratitude was genuine.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
As the weeks and months went by, I made sure I carried spare dollar bills in my car should I see her. The dollar donation grew to two dollars, and then to five or even ten on some days. In the few seconds by the road before the light changed, I learned her name. She was twenty-eight, and was thrown out of her home by her dad when her mother died ten years ago
One day, she excitedly yelled to me, “I have a job interview!” Another day, Cassie said she was on a wait list to get a room provided by Phoenix Rescue Mission. I called and left two messages to see if I could help in any way. No one returned my calls.
Cassie never asked for anything unless I specifically asked what she needed. When she did respond, the items were for her partner, Kidder, whom she had met ten years earlier in a homeless shelter.
Kidder was older and had the opposite temperament of Cassie. Kidder, was stubborn, hardened by the street and a bit wary of me. When the weather got colder, I brought blankets, leggings, and umbrellas which were also requested. Kidder also wanted two large suitcases with wheels. On Thanksgiving night, I brought them two plates full of turkey and all the trimmings.
When “Kidder” got ill, I bought DEPENDS and wet wipes which they wanted. They slept in either black plastic bags or a make-shift tent under the freeway bridge. When the police would ask them to move, they would sleep in a field across the street. Then, they would repeat the “dance” and return back under the bridge.
When I told Cassie I was leaving for a trip to Mexico with my church group, Kidder told me Cassie cried. The day before I left, Cassie said she found something and wanted to give it to me. It was a brown string bracelet with a tile of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I wear it every day.
I shared the story of the homeless ladies under the bridge during our retreat in Mexico City. Special prayers were offered up and hopefully will still continue. On Christmas Eve, I gave Cassie a hundred dollars.
This coming week, for the first time, I am taking Cassie and Kidder to a restaurant near where they “live.” I planned it for last week, but they rescheduled.
During the dinner, I hope to learn more about them and possibly discuss with them a plan for them to MOVE FORWARD. I do not want to give up on these two souls who are lost. On the other hand, part of me no longer wants me to enable them to remain on the street.
Would Jesus want me to ask the hard questions or just love them unconditionally?
Tough questions like:
- Why have I only seen Cassie standing by the road for long hours every day and never Kidder?
- What does Kidder do to contribute to their income?
- Are they drug addicts or alcoholics?
- What has kept them on the street for ten years?
I have been fervently praying for my upcoming time with them. Hopefully, we can have quiet time, not ruined by extremely loud traffic noise above and complete weariness by both. Will they show up or choose to move on? Lord, please give us strength and wisdom.
To be continued.