Gratitude Journal - July 16, 2017

Wandering through Life

Many appear in our lives for a moment, years or a lifetime. 

In most cases we won't know until later how long a person is destined to travel alongside us on our journey, but on occasion it is crystal clear. And that was the case when I met Adam - a self proclaimed 'wanderer'. 

As I wandered through Little Five Points with a group of photographers, a guy carrying a hard back book and small plastic bag seemed to gravitate to us - not speaking, but appearing to want to be seen. 

"May I take your photo?" I asked as he was quite an interesting character. 

"I'm tired of people just wanting to take my photo." he replied 

"I respect that. My name is Sheri and yours?"  

"Adam" he said. 

"Nice to meet you Adam. Do you live here?"

"No, I don't live anywhere." 

"Oh, are you homeless?" I replied out of curiosity.

"No, I am a wanderer." 

 And that was the beginning of a very interesting conversation with a man who clearly wanted to be heard and not only seen. I proceeded to ask him about his life and his way of life as it is foreign to me other than reading other's accounts. 

Adam's plan is to have no plan, to take everyday at face value and go with the flow. With few personal belongings, he rides the rail cars from town to town. It is, as he described, a way of life. Admittedly, it is one that intrigues me but not one that I would willingly embark upon. Nonetheless, I admire people that are willing to embrace living a life that fulfills them. 

I asked Adam what he does to secure money for essentials, and he unashamedly said that he panhandles and works intermittently as a cook if he needs to. He has a network of friends in towns connected by the railways who are always there for him. 

I am reminded of my younger sister Mary who worked in Alaska during summer months, and traveled during the winter to different cities and countries in which she had created her own network of soft places to land with friends.

I asked Adam how he communicates with his friends to let them know he will be coming to town, and found that he doesn't own a phone but rather uses the computer at the library to connect. 

While Adam and I are talking, another photographer joined the conversation and asked to take a photo. The smoke curled through the air against a backdrop of a graffiti and others sleeping on the hard concrete.  It is clear that this street photographer has a way of immediately connecting with others. 

As I write this entry, I realize that it is long - however my interaction however brief - was impactful to me, therefore feel the need to document it for myself, and Adam. 

People judge others, regardless of how we may not want to admit it or even realize it. We have unconscious and conscious biases based on our experiences, beliefs and values. 

You see I judged Adam by assuming that he was homeless, only to find that what I may consider homeless isn't always the case. 

And Adam judged me as just another older (ouch even if true!), upper middle class woman who values possessions more than life experiences. I began to try to unravel his assessment of me, however was more interested in learning about him.

Adam shared just a glimpse of his past with me, alluding to his Father not understanding but ultimately accepting his way of life. And he felt it important enough to let me know his Father was not his biological, but rather someone who stepped into that role for him. He volunteered that he didn't want to talk about his real Father even though I didn't ask. 

The library book he held in in his hand was 'The Wild Truth' by Carine McCandless. (This is the only photo I took during our conversation) He told me that Christopher McCandless, the subject of 'Into the Wild' by Jon Krakauer was his hero. After looking both books up, I think I may be living under a rock as 'Into the Wild' is evidently required reading in many school systems today. 

Is Adam looking for his truth? Is his plan to have no plan trusting the universe to deliver the truth in the natural timing of predestination?

During my conversation with Adam, we identified commonalities in our differences. 

We all live by our core set of values. 

Experiences shape who we are today. 

Beliefs and aspirations will shape our tomorrows. 

Raw almonds rock! (I gave him a bag I had brought along for a snack) 

We have differing opinions on the value of Yoohoo drinks. 

There is a higher power. Mine is God, and his lives within him. Wait! So does mine!

That was my moment with Adam. It is highly unlikely that our paths will cross again, but I am better because of our conversation. 

Thank you Adam.

And so goes this journey called life. 

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