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Laurie
06-14-2009
Heading to my secret hideaway to write.
As I was leaving my husband said, "Laurie, you look like a bag lady!"
And then we both sat down and talked about how wonderful it would be if in our society this was the only type of "bag lady" that existed; if no person were to be helpless, homeless, or hungry ...
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November 2009 
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I once saw a PBS special about older women of means who became “bag ladies” - living in their cars. It was so scary seeing that this could happen to anyone. It was my greatest fear - that I would become a bag lady/homeless. About 4 years later, my greatest fear came true when I became homeless. Luckily, I found the YWCA Womens shelter who helped me through one of the blackest periods of my life when I was so vulnerable. Every bag lady has a story. Each one started out as innocent baby girl. Bless all the Bag Ladies and those who wish them well.
Yes - bless every single person who is helpless, homeless, hungry or held captive by fear.
Sometimes all folk need is a little temporary help to find a home and stand on their own feet. We gave 3 different homeless people a room and they are all settled and independent now.
Gael -
You are a model for us all.
Laurie, that was cute and a lovely opening for this kind of sharing; and all I can say is thank you mimi for sharing that silver lining; and Gaek for being one.
Yes, it could have been any one of us! Mimi, you are courageous. Gael, you are just a living Saint to me, someone whom I would enjoy sitting on a porch somewhere just listening to your wisdom, OR helping you in your garden! Yeah, I think I wanna be a BEE in your garden.
John, if you come as a bee please don't fall in the watering can, I had to rescue three honey bees this week and two spiders. LOL.
Mimi, hugs, for your courage and fortitude.
What I remembered most from the PBS special was that the women tried so hard to maintain their dignity, even though they were living in their cars. It was so difficult to try to keep their clothes clean. They would bathe themselves in service station wash rooms. Even in their worst moments, they still had a spark in them that it was going to get better if they could just hang on one more day. I never forgot that. I don't complain about anything today.
John, I would welcome you/your BeeYou in my garden anytime. I decided I wanted to be reborn in the plant realm next time around, so be sure to visit me if you're a bee.
Your discussion led me to this article: here - really sobering.
Nicole -
That simply broke my heart, but it was important to read, thank you for sharing.
I was not aware that there are fenced-in parking lots in California (and probably elsewhere) specifically designated for people (women in particular) to sleep in their cars. I suppose that's a goood thing … But in the bigger picture … that just emphasizes the fact that we do not all share the 'we are all one' (inter-connected) attitude.