09/01/2026
To refresh today, I headed out in the sunshine to the water. To get there you go through a pedestrian crossing that takes a few minutes to traverse. I found myself standing next to a young woman ..
... Pacing, barefoot, dirty, sun worn, and most likely unhoused, perhaps intoxicated. Our eyes met, mine behind sunglasses and hers unadorned. I smiled and said a simple 'hello.' I tried not to hold direct eye contact but even that was too much. She shrank back, embarrassed.... Or ashamed or something on that spectrum.
And it makes me wonder and hope. Can this well-being project really make a difference? What can we do to reduce how often this happens?
I hope she is safe. And hopefully she will make it to the water's edge and find some peace today.
